HC Deb 12 November 1997 vol 300 cc580-1W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 July,Official Report, column 470, what was the aim of Exercise Senator 97; what was the scenario of the exercise; and what were the results of the exercise. [15608]

Dr. Reid

The aim of Exercise Senator 97 was to test procedures in the event of an accident involving nuclear weapons on British territory. The scenario postulated an accident involving a nuclear weapons convoy in transit through Lincolnshire. There has been unanimous agreement from participants that the exercise was a success, and a number of observations are being followed up with appropriate agencies. A copy of the summary report from all participating agencies will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where are the headquarters of the RAF Nuclear Accident Response Organisation. [15559]

Dr. Reid

The Headquarters of the RAF Nuclear Accident Response Organisation is based at the Headquarters of the RAF Logistics Command at RAF Brampton, Huntingdon.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many editions of the local authority and emergency service information on nuclear weapon transport contingency plans have been produced since 1967; and on what dates. [15617]

Dr. Reid

Two editions of the Local Authority and Emergency Service Information on Nuclear Weapon Transport Contingency Plans (LAESI) document have been produced by the Ministry of Defence. The first edition was issued in January 1993 and the second edition in March 1996.

Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from other Government Departments concerning the Strategic Defence Review; and whether he intends publishing them. [15594]

Mr. George Robertson

Other Government Departments have been, and will continue to be, consulted throughout the Strategic Defence Review process. Their inputs represent internal Government advice and opinion and are therefore covered by exemption 2 (Internal discussion and advice) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. We have no plans to publish them.