HC Deb 29 January 1993 vol 217 cc893-4W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications for disposal of nuclear submarines of the decisions of the meeting of the London dumping convention held in November 1992.

Mr. Aitken

I am not aware that there were any implications affecting disposal of our nuclear submarines. Our policy remains that when nuclear-powered submarines have been decommissioned the hulls should be stored afloat at a suitable berth, pending eventual disposal. This policy is kept under review.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department has commissioned with commercial organisations regarding the disposal of nuclear submarines; and with which organisations these contracts were placed.

Mr. Aitken

The details of studies on the disposal of nuclear submarines undertaken by commercial organisations on MOD's behalf since 1986 are as follows:

Year and company Study
1986
National Radiological Protection Board Assessment of radiological impact of land disposal of radioactive wastes from a decommissioned nuclear submarine.
1986
Rolls-Royce and Associates Services in support of project manager nuclear submarine disposal.
1987
National Radiological Protection Board Assessment of radiological impact of land and sea disposal of radioactive wastes from a decommissioned nuclear submarine.
1988
Taywood Engineering Ltd. Feasibility of decommissioning submarine components by concrete encasement.
1988
Osel Ulvertech Ltd. Design and development of a recoverable underwater instrumental package.
1988
Taywood Engineering Ltd. Concrete encasement of submarine reactor compartments.
1988
Electrowatt Engineering Services (UK) Ltd. Environmental assessment document for the disposal of HMS Dreadnought.
1988
British Maritime Technology HMS Dreadnought—support contract.
1988

Year and company Study
Jet Research Centre Linear cutting charge procurement.
1992
Babcock Thorn Ltd. Design study into the safe storage of submarine reactor compartments.

Note: Information is not available on any studies undertaken before 1986.