Among the letters printed last week was one about an old lady, now resident in Cornwall, who was unsure about returning to live in her native Plymouth.

Though some might consider her attitude somewhat quirky I think she has every reason to have reservations about spending the rest of her days in what is recognised by the local authority and by the naval 'powers-that-be' as a potential nuclear disaster zone.

It would, I suppose, amount to foolhardiness on the part of the Ministry of Defence if, in respect of the nuclear-related activities which take place ashore and afloat in the Plymouth area, they were to state that there was no risk whatsoever to the local population.

To state the obvious, if, indeed, there was no risk at all then there would be no need for a DEVPUBSAFE Plan or for the related exercises which take place from time to time.

So, risk there is, and it appals me that Plymouth people should be so complacent as to let this state of affairs continue.

Your correspondent last week was possibly unaware that printed inside the cover of the Plymouth phone book is a full page Royal Navy notice "Safety First at Devonport" which sets out the points covered in this letter. This notice also seeks, by way of balancing the equation, to inform us how important HM Naval Base is to the local economy and it is in this context that we are told that Devonport is 'home to 7 Trafalgar Class submarines'. Each of these boats has a complement of 130, including 18 officers. Total squadron personnel of 910 seems not to be a figure of much significance, especially bearing in mind that many of the crew members will be young and single and whose homes are not necessarily in the area.

Although, at any one time there will, I understand, be two boats undergoing maintenance at Devonport, it is to be hoped that the other five in the Squadron will all be well away from these shores, underwater, and earning their keep! It's worth noting here that Faslane, on the Gareloch, where the First Submarine Squadron is based is rather more thinly populated than Devonport!

CHARLES HENRY

Gunnislake.