{"id":1073,"date":"2015-10-23T16:52:16","date_gmt":"2015-10-23T16:52:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/?p=1073"},"modified":"2015-10-23T16:52:16","modified_gmt":"2015-10-23T16:52:16","slug":"serious-safety-concerns-at-faslane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scotsindependent.scot\/?p=1073","title":{"rendered":"\u2018SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS\u2019 AT FASLANE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\nSNP Defence spokesperson Brendan O\u2019Hara – whose Argyll and Bute seat is the location of the Faslane Naval base – is commenting on reports that cost cutting by the MoD and Babcock at the nuclear submarine base is now raising serious safety concerns. It has emerged that Babcock, who run HMNB Clyde on behalf of the MoD, want to extend the time period that nuclear powered submarines can be berthed at Faslane without any electrical power, from the current 20 minutes to up to three hours.<\/p>\n

The fear among many of those working at Faslane is that this proposed change is principally a cost-driven exercise borne from the MoD\u2019s demand that Babcock reduce costs. It is feared that in the three hours that the submarines will be without power \u2013 as proposed by these new regulations \u2013 the nuclear reactors on board the submarines could heat up, raising very serious safety concerns.<\/p>\n

Brendan O\u2019Hara MP, SNP Defence spokesperson commented:<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is all about safety. Safety, when we are dealing with nuclear fuelled submarines is paramount and anything that appears to compromise that must be questioned and then explained fully. \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cI have been approached by several constituents who have worked at the base for many years. They have raised grave and genuine concerns about the proposed extension to how long a nuclear powered submarine can lie alongside without power.<\/p>\n

\u201cSafety must be paramount and if \u2013 as many of the workforce at Faslane believe- the MoD and\/or Babcock are proposing this change to cut costs, then people will be absolutely and rightly outraged.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I understand it, this proposed extension to the time a nuclear powered submarine can lie without an electrical supply will allow Babcock to substantially reduce staff costs and will save them around \u00a34.5 million per year. And I am extremely concerned, that having listened to many of those who work there, that nuclear safety is being compromised in order to save money.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the people of Helensburgh and Lomond are to have this facility on our doorstep – and for the large population centres nearby – we must have faith that those in charge will always make safety and security their top priority. Stories like this, particularly coming from constituents working inside the base are therefore very, very worrying.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is why I have tabled a series of questions to the Ministry of Defence.<\/p>\n

I want to know;<\/p>\n