HC Deb 18 January 1988 vol 125 cc530-1W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the United Kingdom merchant shipping industry about the risks from radioactivity arising from nuclear weapons testing around the Muroroa atoll; what advice his Department gives to shipping intending to navigate in adjacent waters; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Mitchell

No representations have been received from United Kingdom shipowners. Warnings to shipping about the risks from radioactivity arising from nuclear weapons' testing around the Muroroa atoll are contained in nautical publications Nos. 62 and 62s, "Pacific Island Pilot Volume III, 10th Edition 1982" and its "Supplement No. 2" respectively published by the Hydrographer of the Navy. Carriage of nautical publications by United Kingdom registered ships is mandatory under the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Nautical Publications) Rules 1975.

In the event of risk from nuclear tests, following prior information from the French authorities, daily radio warnings, in English, are transmitted to shipping throughout the area by the New Zealand co-ordinator for Navarea XIV of the worldwide navigational warning service adopted by the International Maritime Organisation.

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