asked the Secretary of State for Defence what studies are in hand, or are contemplated, of workers exposed to radiation hazards in the construction of nuclear submarines or other defence activities.

Studies are undertaken of workers exposed to possible radiation hazards in the course of work for the Ministry of Defence to ensure that radiation doses and working conditions in radiation and radioactive areas are satisfactory and in accordance with international recommendations and relevant national regulatory measures. These studies are carried out as part of their normal activities both by management and by the doctors, health physicists and other scientists who provide expert professional radiological health and safety advice in the Ministry of Defence. Additionally, a small long-term study of a representative group of workers associated with the maintenance of Royal Naval nuclear submarines has been in progress over several years. Consideration is also being given to bringing radiation workers in the Ministry of Defence into the national registry of radiation workers study established by the National Radiological Protection Board.