§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what technical and financial provisions have been made for the decommissioning and storage or disposal of radioactive waste materials arising therefrom, for(a) Polaris submarines and (b) Trident submarines; and what discussions have taken place with his American counterpart over the United States plans in this field.
§ Mr. AitkenIt is not our practice to make public our detailed plans and costings for decommissioning nuclear submarines. A long-term policy for the disposal of all decommissioned nuclear submarines is being considered but no decisions have yet been reached. Currently, they are stored safely afloat at naval bases where de-fuelling and removal of re-usable equipment takes place.
There are regular exchanges between the United States and United Kingdom Governments on all nuclear matters under the 1958 mutual defence agreement and we are aware of United States plans for decommissioning and disposal.