HC Deb 03 February 1989 vol 146 c448W
Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines discharge contaminated reactor coolant water in the Clyde estuary; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

It is not our practice to comment on matters which would give information on the operation of the nuclear submarine fleet. So far as the release of radioactivity from RN submarines is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) on 24 January 1989 at column554.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Royal Navy nuclear submarines discharge contaminated reactor coolant water into the waters of ports visited which are not operational submarine bases.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

It is not the practice of the Royal Navy to discharge reactor coolant water directly to sea in any port.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarines are equipped with retention tanks to store excess reactor coolant water derived for operating the submarine inside United Kingdom territorial waters so that it can be subsequently dumped outside United Kingdom territorial waters; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

During the normal operation of the nuclear reactors in Royal Navy submarines, coolant water is retained within the system. Royal Navy submarines are equipped with tanks which can be used to store excess coolant water created when a reactor is shut down and then restarted, and are suitable for use when the submarine is on the surface. However, it is rarely necessary to use such tanks. It is likely that future RN nuclear-powered submarines will carry retention tanks which may be used when submerged. So far as the release of radioactivity is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) on 24 January 1989 at column554.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether United States nuclear submarines or their tender ships operating in the Holy Loch discharge reactor coolants into United Kingdom territorial waters; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) on 24 January 1989 at column555.