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Written question asked by Adrian Ramsay (Green Party) on Friday, 10 October 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 October 2025. It was answered by Luke Pollard (Labour) on Monday, 20 October 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


Devonport Dockyard: Radioactive Waste

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether nuclear waste is due to be offloaded at Devonport.

Answer

Yes. The offload of radioactive materials at Devonport predominantly occurs through the maintenance, upkeep or refit work on our in-service submarines or the removal of radioactive materials from decommissioned submarines stored at Devonport.

All such materials are safely handled, stored and managed to final disposal in accordance with relevant statute, regulated by the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency as appropriate.

Recommencing the Defuel programme of our decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines in Devonport means that used nuclear fuel will be removed. This used fuel will be transported to the Sellafield site for safe storage pending potential re-processing / re-use.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
80777
Session
2024-26
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Radioactive waste Devonport Dockyard
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk