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747437

	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 how many incidents in the defence nuclear programme have presented a risk to (1) staff working in that programme, or (2) members of the emergency services, since 2000.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
	uin	HL401
	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 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

747399

	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 arrangements they are introducing to ensure that the use of armed drones for counter-terrorism is capable of being subject to parliamentary scrutiny and accountability.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL363
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The Government is not introducing arrangements specifically for armed Remotely Piloted Air Systems, above and beyond the existing parliamentary scrutiny and accountability for any use of force. Using force is subject to the same rigorous scrutiny, regardless of the weapons platform employed.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 11/07/2017 15:11:17 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

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

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

747390

	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 evidence they have that the Saudi Arabian air force is adequately trained in the accurate use of weapons such as the Paveway bomb supplied by the UK, so as to prevent civilian deaths in Yemen and elsewhere.
	tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
	uin	HL354
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/07/2017 answer text <p>The UK has considerable insight into the systems and procedures used by the Royal Saudi Air Force in Yemen, notwithstanding that the UK is not a member of the Coalition or a party to the conflict.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 12/07/2017 15:11:21 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

747400

	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 is their policy on the development of autonomy in weapons systems; and what action they are taking to build consensus for international action to control the development and deployment of lethal autonomous weapons systems.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL364
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>Current UK policy is that the operation of weapon systems will always be under human control and that no planned offensive systems are to have the capability to prosecute targets without the involvement of a human. The UK considers the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) the right forum in which to discuss lethal autonomous weapons systems. The UK is a proactive State Party to the CCW and participates fully in discussions within the CCW.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 11/07/2017 15:11:41 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

747398

	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 steps they are taking to introduce a clear and coherent policy on the use of armed drones for counter-terrorism purposes, both within and outside areas of armed conflict.
	tabling member printed	Lord Judd
	uin	HL362
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/07/2017 answer text <p>The UK's policy on using force overseas is clear. It will always be in line with international law and UK law, and bounded by UK rules of engagement, targeting directives and operational directives. The same law, policy and rigorous targeting process are adhered to whether the weapons platform is an armed Remotely Piloted Air System or a piloted aircraft. We have, and we will, exercise an inherent right to self-defence against both armed attacks and imminent threats of armed attack, in accordance with international law.</p> answering member printed Earl Howe question first answered 11/07/2017 15:10:57 answering member 2000 label Biography information for Earl Howe
	tabling member	1660 label Biography information for Lord Judd

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

747436

	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 accidents with an International Nuclear Radiological Event Scale rating of 1 or more which have occurred in the defence nuclear programme.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
	uin	HL400
	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 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

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