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Written question asked by Dave Doogan (Scottish National Party) on Friday, 22 April 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 April 2022 (named day). It was answered by Jeremy Quin (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 April 2022 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Devonport Dockyard: Climate Change

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the report entitled Climate Change UK Nuclear Military, published by Dr Paul Dorfman, Nuclear Consulting Group in September 2021, what assessment he has made of the risk of the nuclear submarine base at HMNB Devonport being regularly underwater due to rising sea levels by 2050.

Answer

We closely monitor and track potential risks to our infrastructure, including from flooding, both now and in the future.

We are aware of the content of this report, which is based on a worst-case scenario. The Ministry of Defence invests significant resources to regularly assure protection against all possible threats and we have absolute confidence in our robust measures to keep our submarines safe and secure.

In terms of future proofing, HM Naval Base Devonport has an extant Climate Infrastructure Risk Assessment that has modelled the potential impact of climate change on sea defences and site infrastructure. This has been independently validated by Ministry of Defence specialists and the Assessment concludes that HMNB Devonport's Sea Defences are adequate to meet potential sea level changes.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
157581
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Climate change Seas and oceans Devonport Dockyard Nuclear submarines
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk