Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the use of nuclear weapons; and what steps they are taking to ensure that they will not be used.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Her Majesty's Government recognises the possible humanitarian and environmental consequences which could result from the use of nuclear weapons. We hope never to have to use them, but to deliver effective deterrence in all circumstances; and we remain fully committed to the long-term goal of a world without nuclear weapons.
We take our responsibilities as a nuclear weapon state, including reducing the risk of nuclear conflict, very seriously. Our Trident missiles have not been targeted at any state since 1994 and our submarines are at several days' notice to fire. We will continue to work internationally to build trust and confidence between states; including through the P5 process which, under UK leadership, has made important progress on several issues of relevance to strategic risk reduction, including discussions on the concept of risk reduction, nuclear doctrines, and transparency.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The United Kingdom's nuclear weapons policy is set out in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, and is kept under regular review.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
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.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
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.
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.
Further information can be found in the annual DNSR Reports publications, and copies can be found at:
The information regarding all incidents over the last 30 years is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
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.
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.
Further information can be found in the annual DNSR Reports publications, and copies can be found at:
The information regarding all incidents over the last 30 years is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
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.
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.
Further information can be found in the annual DNSR Reports publications, and copies can be found at:
The information regarding all incidents over the last 30 years is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
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.
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.
Further information can be found in the annual DNSR Reports publications, and copies can be found at:
The information regarding all incidents over the last 30 years is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
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.
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.
Further information can be found in the annual DNSR Reports publications, and copies can be found at:
The information regarding all incidents over the last 30 years is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
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.
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.
Further information can be found in the annual DNSR Reports publications, and copies can be found at:
The information regarding all incidents over the last 30 years is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
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.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
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.
The risk of any of these incidents recurring has been greatly reduced due to subsequent improvements to the infrastructure at AWE.
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.