Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reasons the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for International Security Strategy approved the proposals to limit contractor liability at HMNB Clyde to £100,000 despite the objection by the hon. Member for Newport West.

Having considered the objection raised I decided to proceed with the Treasury Minute on Contingent Liability as this work is an essential enabler in allowing the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to deliver its projects and estate maintenance requirements on estates where nuclear assets are sited.

It is the MOD's intent to limit the contractor's liability at Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde to £100,000. Since no commercial contractor could reasonably be expected to assume total liabilities or to be able to insure against them. Such a liability can only be borne by the State.