§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 4 March (WA 114) on nuclear submarines, how the monitoring referred to in the Answer is carried out given that IPM 7 detectors cannot be used due to space constraints on submarines. [HL2054]
§ Lord BachPersonnel exiting submarine reactor compartments are monitored (by suitably qualified and experienced workers) using hand-held instrumentation capable of detecting very low levels of radioactive contamination. In addition, after leaving submarines, all staff have the opportunity to use a walk-through monitor similar to the IPM 7. The purpose of this equipment is to provide reassurance to personnel leaving controlled areas, and is compulsory where contamination is suspected or found on exiting the reactor compartment.