Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Monday, 3 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 February 2003. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Monday, 10 February 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) health and (b) security risks the hulks of paid-off SSNs and former Polaris submarines pose.

Answer: Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) health and (b) security risks the hulks of paid-off SSNs and former Polaris submarines pose. [95883] Dr. Moonie: Stringent regulations govern nuclear health and safety at the Devonport and Rosyth dockyards where decommissioned nuclear submarines have been stored safely for some twenty years. The conditions of their storage are subject to rigorous safety standards set by the Navy's own assessor, the Chairman Naval Nuclear Regulatory Panel (CNNRP). As soon as possible after a nuclear submarine leaves operational service the reactor is defuelled, any other significant mobile radiation sources are removed and the vessel prepared for safe storage afloat. Daily inspections are carried out and regular maintenance periods ensure the vessel is maintained to a high standard of preservation and safety. Local authorities also carry out independent monitoring and evidence to date shows that external radiation levels are within permissible limits and pose no health risk to the public. The decommissioned submarine hulks pose no security risk. A number of reviews have been completed of the security of storage sites, including a recent review at the Devonport site.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 95883; 399 c512-3W;399 c510-1W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Decommissioning Health hazards Radiation exposure Security Storage Safety Nuclear submarines Polaris submarines
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk