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<p>Maintaining nuclear safety within Defence is paramount and continuously assessed.
It is independently regulated in accordance with legislative requirements by the Office
for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and, where exempt, by the Ministry of Defence's (MOD)
independent nuclear regulator, the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR). All events,
incidents and near misses are recorded across the full spectrum of International Atomic
Energy Agency Nuclear Event Scale ratings. Each nuclear licensed and authorised site
is required to maintain records and demonstrate learning as part of the routine regulatory
engagement process.</p><p> </p><p>The MOD also has Ministerial Reporting Criteria
for nuclear events which align with those used by the civil sector. As well as Defence
Ministers, the reporting criteria requires the MOD to inform, as appropriate, the
ONR, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. In addition,
any events are routinely discussed with established Local Liaison Committees. I can
reassure the noble Baroness that MOD nuclear programme activities are demonstrably
well within accepted civil nuclear safety standards. I can confirm that since 2000
events and incidents have not challenged these standards and that the health of the
public, the environment, and our workers remain safe. The MOD is not complacent and
all incidents assessed as having safety significance are fully analysed to establish
the root cause and measures put in place to prevent recurrence.</p><p> </p><p>Further
information can be found in the annual DNSR Reports publications, and copies can be
found at:</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-environment-and-safety-board-assurance-reports"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-nuclear-environment-and-safety-board-assurance-reports</a></p><p>
</p><p>The information regarding all incidents over the last 30 years is not held
centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p>
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