Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many accidents(a) at sea or (b) in dock, involving Royal Navy nuclear powered submarines, involved (i) the death of submariners, (ii) the deaths of Royal Naval port workers, or (iii) the release of radioactivity.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonSince 1980, one accident involving a Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine has resulted in the death (by drowning at sea) of a naval rating. There were no such accidents involving deaths of workers in Royal dockyards. Details of any accidents before 1980 could not be provided without disproportionate effort and cost. No Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine has ever been involved in an accident involving a radiological hazard to service men, base personnel or members of the public.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance from the Royal Navy or other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces has been offered to the Soviet Union in the rescue or recovery of the nuclear powered submarine lost off the north Norwegian coast on 7 April.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonNo request for assistance from Her Majesty's forces has been made. In response to any such request, we would lend whatever support we could. Any discussions between the Soviet Union and other NATO countries are a matter for those countries. I understand, however, that an offer of assistance from Norway was declined.