§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give comparative examples to underline the level of radioactivity in materials used in armed forces training, pursuant to the reply of the hon. Member for Ketteiring (Mr. Freeman) to the supplementary question asked by the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet following the private notice question on 15 July.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe very low level of radioactivity of the materials used, and the stringent protective measures we take, are such that the radiation dose experienced, by any individual involved in such a nuclear accident exercise will be less than one twentieth of the dose from a routine chest X-ray; or less than one two thousandth of the normal, annual unavoidable dose from background radiation in the natural environment.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which his Department uses radioactive dust for training purposes; what safeguards exist to ensure that personnel do not receive dangerous dosages; and whether these methods are still employed in training.
§ Mr. Ian StewartI have nothing to add to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces on 15 July at columns 1129 to 1135. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for 'Chipping Barnet (Mr. Chapman).
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many service men have taken part in exercises involving the use of radioactive dust; and at what locations;
(2) what exercises are currently taking place in relation to nuclear weapons accident training.
§ Mr. Ian StewartA very small proportion of our extensive programme of exercises to ensure the 95W effectiveness of the MOD nuclear accident response organisation involves the use of the very low level radioactive materials mentioned by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces on 15 July, at column 1129. This programme of exercises includes small-scale unit level exercises, command post exercises to test call-out procedures, and full-scale accident exercises, and involves a range of MOD units and establishments and, where appropriate, external authorities. It is not our practice to give details of such exercises, the numbers of personnel involved nor locations.
§ Mrs. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Defence if there was any consultation with the National Radiological Protection Board or any other monitoring authority before his Department's use of radioactive material for armed forces training; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian StewartMy Department has always liaised with the appropriate Departments with environmental and radiological responsibilities in the use of radioactive material in the training and exercising of MOD personnel, including with the National Radiological Protection Board since its inception in the early 1970s.
§ Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether a maximum number of training exercises involving exposure to radioactivity has been set for members of Her Majesty's forces;
(2) whether continuing medical checks are carried out on the service personnel who participated in Exercise Senator in 1981; and if he will make a statement;
(3) whether regular medical checks have been carried out on service personnel who have been involved in training exercises at RAF St. Athan, involving exposure to radioactivity; and if he will make a statement;
(4) whether any estimate has been made of the cumulative dosage of radioactivity received by service personnel engaged in training at RAF St. Athan between 1970 and 1985.
§ Mr. Ian StewartRadioactive material is used only in the training and exercising of members of units and establishments involved in the MOD nuclear accident response organisation where there is compelling training advantage to be gained. The material involved is of very low levels of radioactivity, and its use is subject to stringent safety controls. There is therefore no hazard to the individuals involved or to the general public. This, and the fact the exercises using such materials take place at infrequent intervals, means that there is no requirement to conduct a long-term monitoring programme, nor to set a limit on the number of such exercises in which MOD service and civilian personnel may participate.
Service men are, of course, subject to regular, routine medical checks throughout their period of service. However, any individual who may have participated in such exercises in the past who is concerned about his or her health may contact the Ministry of Defence, and we will arrange for another medical check to be made.
§ Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 1 August 1986 radioactivity has been released into the atmosphere in the course of training exercises.
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§ Mr. Ian StewartIt is not our practice to comment on the use of such materials in specific exercises or over specific periods.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to the statement of 15 July by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman), he will list in the Official Report the cost to date of the nuclear weapons accident training manoeuvres in each year to the latest date.
§ Mr. Ian StewartCosts of nuclear accident training exercises are borne by the units and establishments involved, and are not normally identified separately from other related expenditure.