Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 17 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 March 2009. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Thursday, 2 April 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Nuclear Submarines

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what fires have taken place on UK nuclear powered submarines since 1979.

Original answer: The records of fire incidents onboard UK nuclear submarines are not held centrally prior to 1 January 1987. Since this date the Royal Navy records provide the following information:"213 small scale fires, that are categorised as a localised fire such as a minor electrical fault creating smoke dealt with quickly and effectively using minimal onboard resources.""21 medium scale fires that were generally categorised as a localised fire such as a failure of mechanical equipment creating smoke and flame requiring use of significant onboard resources.""Three fires occurred while the submarines involved were in naval bases, requiring both ship and external resources."

It has since been corrected.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 490 c1400W (496 40MC);490 c1396W (496 40MC); 265176
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Nuclear Submarines
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Written corrections
House of Commons; Nuclear Submarines
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Written questions
House of Commons; Nuclear Submarines
Monday, 5 October 2009
Written questions
House of Commons; Nuclear Submarines
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Notes: Corrected on 16 September 2009 at 496 c40MC
Subjects: Nuclear submarines
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk