§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the maximum area that might have to be(a) evacuated and (b) subjected to restrictions in a worst case scenario nuclear weapons transport accident; and what are the maximum arc and distance that would be involved in the most unfavourable weather conditions;
(2) if he will make a statement on the extent of nuclear weapon plutonium dispersion hazards.
§ Mr. HanleyBecause of the stringent safety precautions observed, a nuclear weapon transport accident that posed a real hazard to the public would be an extremely unlikely event. The worst scenario would involve the crash of a military aircraft transporting nuclear weapons which then subsequently produced a release of respirable particles of plutonium.
The MOD document for local authorities and emergency services, issued in December 1992, does address this scenario, and gives general guidance on the measures that should be taken promptly to protect the public. A copy of the document is already available in the Library of the House. The document makes clear that further specific advice would be given by the MOD for the particular circumstances of an accident.