Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what investigation he has undertaken into the fire on board HMS Victorious; when that fire occurred; what scale it was categorised as; what (a) injuries, (b) radiation hazard and (c) risk to the reactor resulted from it; what the cost of repairs was; what steps he plans to take in response to the fire; and if he will make a statement.

I am unable to provide specific information of this incident as we do not disclose information or comment on Royal Navy submarines. To do so could prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

However, all Royal Navy Service personnel are trained and qualified in firefighting techniques, and have robust emergency operating procedures for all incidents, which are practiced on a regular basis.