Defence: Navy nuclear reactors shut down

Saturday 31 January 1998 00:02 GMT

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Nuclear reactors on Royal Navy vessels have been shut down on 500 occasions in since 1980, the Government disclosed yesterday. The junior defence minister, John Spellar, said the shutdowns had been for "precautionary defect investigations". In a Commons written reply, he said it would be wrong to ascribe them specifically to safety reasons.

"On all occasions following reactor shut down at sea it has been possible to resume reactor operation safely within a few hours."

He told Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker: "Since 1980, all submarines have been able to return safely to harbour under nuclear power."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Thank you for registering

Defence: Navy nuclear reactors shut down

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering