Exercise Short Sermon

HC Deb 30 June 1995 vol 262 cc827-8W

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the unclassified version of his departmental report evaluating the effectiveness of the Short Sermon nuclear reactor exercise held in Portsmouth in 1994. [31064]

Mr. Soames

The departmental report on Exercise Short Sermon 1994 is a classified document.

Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the scenarios used for the Short Sermon nuclear reactor emergency exercise held in Portsmouth in 1994; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of the exercise. [31065]

Mr. Soames

The full scenario for Exercise Short Sermon 1994 is contained in a classified document, but it postulated a highly unlikely series of events precipitated by a significant external impact on the casing of a nuclear submarine and resulting in serious damage to the submarine reactor. It was part of a routine programme of exercises held each year to test the effectiveness of the MOD's nuclear accident response organisation, and it confirmed that our arrangements are satisfactory.