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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which naval bases have a policy of mandatory secondary monitoring; which do not; and if he will make a statement; [218441] (2) what the reasons were for implementing mandatory secondary monitoring at (a) HM Rosyth and (b) HM Base Devonport; [218442] (3) what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effect on levels of safety of introducing mandatory secondary monitoring at HM Base Clyde Faslane; [218443] (4) whether he plans to introduce mandatory secondary monitoring for radiation at HM naval base Clyde Faslane; what modifications of existing facilities would be required to allow such monitoring; and if he will make a statement. [218444] Mr. Ingram: At HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane) staff working in the Active Processing Facility and the Nuclear Repair Workshop are required to use routine secondary monitoring. Staff exiting submarine reactor compartments are monitored by suitably qualified and experienced workers, using appropriate hand held instrumentation, capable of detecting very low levels of radioactive contamination. This monitoring is precautionary as work procedures and protective clothing are designed to minimise the chance of becoming contaminated. Secondary monitoring (using a walk-through monitor), which takes place after the worker has completed primary monitoring and removed his protective clothing, is mandatory when contamination is suspected or found. All nuclear safety matters relating to the Royal Dockyards at Rosyth and Devonport are a responsibility of the owners of the Dockyards: Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited and Devonport Management Limited respectively. However, they must comply with nuclear safety regulations including the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999. There are no plans to make secondary monitoring mandatory at the Clyde Naval Base as current arrangements within existing facilities comply with legal requirements and have been assessed by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (HSE/NII). A recent review of the options for enhancing monitoring arrangements for new facilities has been completed and will inform future worker monitoring protocols. There are no further plans, at this stage, to commission research into whether levels of safety would be increased by introducing mandatory secondary monitoring.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

431 c1145-6W;431 c1140-1W; 218441;218442;218443;218444

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Health and safety Dockyards Radiation Radiation exposure Monitoring Navy Devonport Dockyard Rosyth Dockyard RNAD Coulport

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk