§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent checks have been undertaken by Her Majesty's Government into possible radiation leaks from the Russian November class submarine sunk off the Scilly Isles in 1970.
§ Mr. StanleyMy Department has not conducted any checks for radiation leaks from the Russian November class submarine, which sank some 500 nautical miles off the Scilly Isles in 1970. I understand that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food undertakes monitoring of levels of radioactivity in the coastal waters of the United Kingdom, and that this monitoring has not detected any radioactivity from the source referred to by the hon.88W Member. Reports on coastal monitoring undertaken by MAFF are published annually and placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has about the frequency with which the Russians check radiation levels from the nuclear submarine sunk off the Scilly Isles in 1970.
§ Mr. StanleyI understand that after the sinking Soviet naval survey vessels guarded the immediate area almost continuously for about six months. Thereafter routine patrols were conducted but these ceased in 1979, after which only occasional visits were made. The purpose of the routine patrol and the subsequent occasional visits is not known.