Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Monday, 3 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 February 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 February 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the eventual disposal of the hulks of paid-off SSNs and former Polaris submarines. - Inc ref to 396 c423W, 12 December 2002.

Answer: Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the eventual disposal of the hulks of paid-off SSNs and former Polaris submarines. [95884] Mr. Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 December 2002, Official Report, column 423W by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Moonie). Since then approval has been given for the Isolus project to enter an assessment phase, and we are now seeking outline proposals from industry for the interim storage of radioactive material from the decommissioned submarines. Over 30 companies have expressed an interest in the work and an industry briefing day is to be held in late February.

Secondary information