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885905

registered interest
date	17/04/2018
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
hansard heading	Nuclear Weapons
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the promotion of measures such as (1) the no first use policy, (2) de-alerting, and (3) communication protocols, to support efforts to downgrade the threat of accidental nuclear weapon use.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL6998
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2018 answer text <p>The United Kingdom's nuclear weapons policy is set out in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, and is kept under regular review.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 25/04/2018 16:18:22 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

753330

registered interest
date	18/07/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on scientific and technical research into nuclear verification since 2015; whether the UK is actively seeking other non-nuclear weapons states partners; and what resources they have allocated for this work until 2020.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL1018
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/07/2017 answer text <p>Since 2015 the UK has conducted a series of successful exercises to support our ability to assess the efficiency and limitations of potential warhead reduction treaty verification technologies. The UK has drawn together its bilateral verification research programmes with Norway and the US to form a quadrilateral research initiative with Norway, the US and Sweden. Additionally it makes its nuclear disarmament verification research available to the International Partnership on Nuclear Disarmament Verification, the majority of members of which are non-nuclear weapons states. The Ministry of Defence has an active Arms Control Verification Research programme, at the Atomic Weapons Establishment. I am withholding further information on resources as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 27/07/2017 10:13:12 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

747998

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the records of accidents and incidents which have taken place in the nuclear defence programme in the past 30 years; and whether they will place a copy of those records in the Library of the House.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL452
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2017 answer text <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> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL397 HL398 HL399 HL400 HL401 question first answered 13/07/2017 14:58:19 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

747999

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks to (1) the public, and (2) the environment, from the radioactive contamination of marshland adjacent to the Atomic Weapons Establishment following flooding in July 1989; and how that assessment has affected current policy.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL453
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2017 answer text <p>The answer given on 21 March 2017 (HL6105) was in response to a question concerning safety improvements in the defence nuclear weapons programme. The response was in relation to radiological incidents at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), none of which have ever posed any risk to the health of the public or the environment. The incidents raised by the noble Baroness did occur; a small number of residents were evacuated in 2010 as a precautionary measure due to a fire in a non-nuclear area. I can confirm that in none of the incidents cited was it assessed that there was any radiological risk to the public.</p><p>The risk of any of these incidents recurring has been greatly reduced due to subsequent improvements to the infrastructure at AWE.</p><p>Activity at AWE sites is governed by a number of permits, authorisations, licences and consents for managing waste and discharges to the environment. AWE plc and the Ministry of Defence continuously monitor their compliance and inspections are routinely undertaken by the relevant regulatory authorities, including the Environment Agency.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL396 HL454 HL455 question first answered 13/07/2017 14:42:34 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

748000

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks to (1) the public, and (2) the environment, from the illegal discharge of tritium into the Aldermarston Stream from the Atomic Weapons Establishment.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL454
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2017 answer text <p>The answer given on 21 March 2017 (HL6105) was in response to a question concerning safety improvements in the defence nuclear weapons programme. The response was in relation to radiological incidents at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), none of which have ever posed any risk to the health of the public or the environment. The incidents raised by the noble Baroness did occur; a small number of residents were evacuated in 2010 as a precautionary measure due to a fire in a non-nuclear area. I can confirm that in none of the incidents cited was it assessed that there was any radiological risk to the public.</p><p>The risk of any of these incidents recurring has been greatly reduced due to subsequent improvements to the infrastructure at AWE.</p><p>Activity at AWE sites is governed by a number of permits, authorisations, licences and consents for managing waste and discharges to the environment. AWE plc and the Ministry of Defence continuously monitor their compliance and inspections are routinely undertaken by the relevant regulatory authorities, including the Environment Agency.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL396 HL453 HL455 question first answered 13/07/2017 14:42:35 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

748001

registered interest
date	04/07/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks to (1) the public, and (2) the environment, from the fire at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in August 2010.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL455
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2017 answer text <p>The answer given on 21 March 2017 (HL6105) was in response to a question concerning safety improvements in the defence nuclear weapons programme. The response was in relation to radiological incidents at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), none of which have ever posed any risk to the health of the public or the environment. The incidents raised by the noble Baroness did occur; a small number of residents were evacuated in 2010 as a precautionary measure due to a fire in a non-nuclear area. I can confirm that in none of the incidents cited was it assessed that there was any radiological risk to the public.</p><p>The risk of any of these incidents recurring has been greatly reduced due to subsequent improvements to the infrastructure at AWE.</p><p>Activity at AWE sites is governed by a number of permits, authorisations, licences and consents for managing waste and discharges to the environment. AWE plc and the Ministry of Defence continuously monitor their compliance and inspections are routinely undertaken by the relevant regulatory authorities, including the Environment Agency.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL396 HL453 HL454 question first answered 13/07/2017 14:42:35 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

747432

registered interest
date	03/07/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government whether it is the case that (1) some local residents were evacuated during the fire at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in 2010, (2) the Atomic Weapons Establishment pleaded guilty in 1999 to illegally discharging tritium into the Aldermaston Stream, and (3) the High Court found, in Blue Circle Industries Plc. v Ministry of Defence, that plutonium contamination from the Atomic Weapons Establishment damaged a nearby marshland; and if so, whether they intend to review their answer by Earl Howe on 21 March (HL6105) that "the defence nuclear programme has never experienced an incident that posed any risk to the public or the environment".
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL396
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2017 answer text <p>The answer given on 21 March 2017 (HL6105) was in response to a question concerning safety improvements in the defence nuclear weapons programme. The response was in relation to radiological incidents at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), none of which have ever posed any risk to the health of the public or the environment. The incidents raised by the noble Baroness did occur; a small number of residents were evacuated in 2010 as a precautionary measure due to a fire in a non-nuclear area. I can confirm that in none of the incidents cited was it assessed that there was any radiological risk to the public.</p><p>The risk of any of these incidents recurring has been greatly reduced due to subsequent improvements to the infrastructure at AWE.</p><p>Activity at AWE sites is governed by a number of permits, authorisations, licences and consents for managing waste and discharges to the environment. AWE plc and the Ministry of Defence continuously monitor their compliance and inspections are routinely undertaken by the relevant regulatory authorities, including the Environment Agency.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL453 HL454 HL455 question first answered 13/07/2017 14:42:34 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

747433

registered interest
date	03/07/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government whether the MOD maintains a record of incidents in the defence nuclear programme where there is a potential risk to the public or to the environment.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL397
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2017 answer text <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> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL398 HL399 HL400 HL401 HL452 question first answered 13/07/2017 14:58:19 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

747434

registered interest
date	03/07/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what criteria, if any, the MOD uses to assess whether an incident in the defence nuclear programme poses a risk to the public or to the environment.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL398
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2017 answer text <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> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL397 HL399 HL400 HL401 HL452 question first answered 13/07/2017 14:58:19 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

747435

registered interest
date	03/07/2017
answering body	Ministry of Defence
answering dept id	11
answering dept short name	Defence
answering dept sort name	Defence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what categories of incident the MOD records in the defence nuclear programme; and what criteria are used to decide whether an incident is recorded.
tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
uin	HL399
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/07/2017 answer text <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> answering member printed Earl Howe grouped question UIN HL397 HL398 HL400 HL401 HL452 question first answered 13/07/2017 14:58:19 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
tabling member	1934 label Biography information for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer