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Request for information regarding emergency counter measure zone around submarine operational berths at Southampton (ref: 04-09-2009-085524-001)
 

• Response to emergency counter measure zone around submarine operational berths at Southampton


• Hazard identification and risk evaluation


• NEAG Paper 02/09


• Radiation Regulations 2001


• REPPIR 2008 Submissions

extract:
'Further to my letter of 30 September 2009, I am now able to give you a substantiveresponse to your request for the background data used to determine the minimumemergency counter measure zone around submarine operational berths at Southampton.I can confirm that this Department holds information of the description specified in yourrequest. I attach information which we have previously supplied to Southampton CityCouncil in accordance with the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and PublicInformation) Regulations (REPPIR) 2001. In addition, a letter from the nuclear regulatorsinforming this Department of the conclusions of their assessment is also attached. Inaccordance with the Freedom of Information Act some of the information contained in thisletter and the detailed technical information you have requested has been withheld underSection 24 (National Security), Section 26 (Defence) and Section 27(InternationalRelations).
 
S24 (1) states a public authority is exempt from the duty to communicate informationwhere such exemption is required for the purpose of safeguarding national security.
 
S26 (1) states that information is exempt if its disclosure under the Act would, or would belikely to, prejudice (a) the defence of the British Islands or of any colony, or (b) thecapability, effectiveness or security of any relevant forces.
 
s27(1) states that information is exempt if its disclosure would, or would be likely to,prejudice (a) relations between the UK and any other state, (c) the interests of the UKabroad or (d) the promotion or protection by the UK of its interests abroad.
 
As these exemptions are qualified, we have considered the balance of public interest indisclosing and withholding information by maintaining the exemptions. It is recognised thatthere is widespread interest in safety issues concerning nuclear powered submarines. It is,moreover, important for the public to understand how and why important decisions aretaken, and we, therefore, acknowledge there would be a measure of public interest inreleasing the information you have requested. However, consideration has also beengiven to the wider impact of releasing detailed technical information which has beenaccurately summarised in the information supplied to Southampton City Council.
 
The conclusion reached is that to release detailed technical data would reveal operationalpractices and techniques in relation to Royal Navy submarines which could compromisenational security, the defence of the UK and the security of Royal Navy personnel. It hasalso been decided that disclosure could prejudice the UK’s international relationships andinterests. On balance, therefore, the public interest in withholding the informationoutweighs the public interest in its release, in other words that Section 2(2)(b) of the Actapplies.'
 

Attachment	Size
Response to emergency counter measure zone around submarine operational berths at Southampton .pdf	20.24 KB
Hazard identification and risk evaluation.pdf	4.35 MB
NEAG Paper 02/09 .pdf	158.93 KB
Radiation Regulations 2001.pdf	135.19 KB
REPPIR 2008 Submissions.pdf	224.95 KB