Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 25 January 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 February 1999. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Thursday, 4 February 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 20th January, Official Report, 323 c460W, if he will make it his policy to carry out radiation surveys at the entrance to reactor compartments every 12 hours to coincide with shift patterns during work on nuclear submarines at RN Base Faslane.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1999, Official Report, column 460, if he will make it his policy to carry out radiation surveys at the entrance to reactor compartments every 12 hours to coincide with shift patterns during work on nuclear submarines at RN Base Faslane. [67955] Mr. Spellar: I wish to assure the hon. Member that the radiation surveys carried out both within and outside the Reactor Compartments of submarines meet fully our Statutory requirements. In addition to regular surveys, we also conduct continuous monitoring of the air in the Reactor Compartment for any trace of radioactive contaminants. Routine work in this area at Faslane is not based on a 12 hour shift pattern, the normal pattern being one 8 hour shift per day. Radiation surveys are carried out daily. It is not considered necessary therefore to change the frequency of the surveys.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 67955; 324 c737W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Radiation Radiation exposure Radioactivity Surveys Nuclear submarines RNAD Coulport