asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the Oldham alert system for incidents involving the transportation of radioactive weapons materials provides for the county fire officer, the chief emergency planning officer, and county and district chief executives to be notified of a convoy accident; and if he will make a statement.

In addition to any action taken by the civil police, who are alerted immediately after an accident involving radioactive material, in accordance with their local incident plans, our contingency plans also cater for the rapid provision of expert advice as required to representatives of local agencies, including those referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance is given to Royal Marines escorting radioactive weapons materials convoys in south Yorkshire.

It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on the methods used or the procedures applied to the movement of nuclear weapons.