Wednesday January 20th 2016
Midlothian SNP MP Owen Thompson has condemned the transportation of nuclear material through the streets of Scotland as an “unacceptable risk to public safety” and will propose legislation to immediately halt the unsafe practice.
According to information from campaign group Nukewatch, a convoy carrying nuclear weapons travelled across Midlothian on several occasions, parking close to schools and sparking local outrage.
Owen Thompson, MP for Midlothian, will on Wednesday propose a ten minute rule bill and call for cross-party support against the use of the nuclear convoys which travel between Berkshire, where the weapons are made and serviced, and Coulport in Argyll, where they are stored and loaded.
Commenting, Mr Thompson said:
“The idea that weapons of mass destruction are being transported through the streets of Midlothian, and all across the UK is absolutely chilling – I’m calling on MPs of all parties to join me in condemning the unacceptable risk to public safety.
“The impact of any safety breach simply does not bear thinking about. The Ministry of Defence must now detail exactly what safety precautions they take while these nuclear weapons travel through the UK – and put an immediate stop to the convoys.
“The Scottish people have made clear their opposition to weapons of mass destruction being based on the Clyde – and the transport of nuclear weapons from one end of the country to the other should not be based on an argument of convenience at the expense of safety. The policy as it stands lacks transparency, is counterproductive against protecting us from terrorist attacks and shows a blatant disregard and lack of judgement to the communities that they pass through.
“Of course, the fact is that the only way to fully guarantee public safety is to remove these immoral, strategically useless weapons once and for all – and the SNP will continue to fight every step of the way against spending £167bn on weapons of mass destruction.”
In addition to the Ten Minute Rule Bill, Owen Thompson has also lodged an Early Day Motion, and is below:
“That this House notes with concern reports that nuclear convoys are regularly driven through the UK; understands that according to Nukewatch the convoys regularly travel through towns and cities close to schools, homes and businesses; condemns what it sees as an unacceptable risk to public safety; calls on the UK Government to immediately clarify what safety measures they have put in place; to put a stop to nuclear weapons convoys; and hopes that public awareness of this ongoing and dangerous practice will strengthen the calls to rid the UK of nuclear weapons once and for all.”
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