NUCLEAR SAFETY INSPECTORS ASKED TO INVESTIGATE FASLANE.

NUCLEAR SAFETY INSPECTORS ASKED TO INVESTIGATE FASLANE.


SNP MSP BILL KIDD CALLS FOR INQUIRY FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF MOD INTERNAL SAFETY REPORTS,

Bill Kidd, SNP MSP for the Glasgow region, has called on the Health and Safety Executive’s Nuclear Directorate to launch an inquiry into the risk of a major nuclear accident on the ‘shiplift’ facility at Faslane. This follows the release of internal safety reports by the Ministry of Defence, which outline the risk surrounding such an accident, in response to a Freedom of Information request by the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

The reports which consider safety risks at Faslane state that Plutonium from up to 48 nuclear warheads could potentially escape and cause widespread contamination and cancers if there was to be an accident while a Trident submarine was being moved by the ‘shiplift’. However, the numbers indicating how far the contamination could potentially spread, how many cancers it might cause and how probable such an accident may be, have been withheld.

A confidential report, released under the Freedom of Information Act in April, by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) described safety failings at Faslane as a "recurring theme". The worst of the breaches detailed in the report included three leaks of radioactive coolant from nuclear submarines in 2004, 2007 and 2008 into the Firth of Clyde.

The release of these safety reports coincides with a new opinion poll, carried out by MRUK on behalf of the Sunday Times, which shows that 61% of Scottish voters are opposed to the replacement of Trident, while only 24% support the proposal [1].

Mr Kidd, MSP for the Glasgow region, said:
“The risks outlined in these safety reports are of grave concern. Without full information we do not know if these are worst or best case scenarios. The prospect of a major nuclear accident on the Faslane shiplift is unspeakable, with the potential to contaminate some of Scotland’s most densely populated areas.

“In light of the MoD’s appalling safety record, I have written to the Health and Safety Executive’s Nuclear Directorate, expressing my concern at these latest reports and asking that an investigation is taken forward, into the adequacy of the current safeguards in place.

“The release of this report comes at a time when the majority of Scottish voters have indicated their absolute opposition to the renewal of Trident, with 61 percent indicating their opposition to the replacement programme. In their opposition, the Scottish public are joined by the SNP Government, a majority of Scottish MPs, trade unions, religious organisations and former military officials.

“These latest revelations further highlight the need for Scotland to have responsibility for our own affairs, with the ability to choose a Scotland without weapons.”