§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being taken to ensure that radiation exposure of personnel undertaking nuclear safety inspections and repairs to operational Resolution class submarines at the Clyde submarine base have been as low as is reasonably possible.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleAll practicable measures are being taken to ensure that occupational exposure to ionising radiation throughout the Ministry of Defence, including Clyde submarine base, is as low as reasonably practicable. In the case of those so exposed as a result of tasks being carried out on nuclear submarines, such measures may include decontamination, shielding, work sharing and modification to procedures, as appropriate and depending upon the particular tasks involved.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many additional personnel have been employed to carry out nuclear safety inspections and repairs to operational Resolution class submarines over the last 18 months;
(2) what has been the cost of repairs to operational Resolution class submarines over the last 18 months;
(3) what has been the cost of nuclear safety inspections to operational Resolution class submarines over the last 18 months.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIt is not our practice to comment on details of submarine refit, repair or maintenance programmes.
§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 1 May,Official Report, column 256, if he will make a statement on the factors underlying the higher figures for the Clyde submarine base, as set out in his letter to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe increase in radiation dose figures for the Clyde submarine base for 1990 over those for previous years is due to a fluctuation in the workload. Although levels of individual dose are higher, all doses are within the statutory limits.