Over the years it has enjoyed immunity from many of the regulations and planning restrictions that apply to everyone else, whether it’s re-configuring roadways or scarring the countryside with security fencing.

Just being the MOD it seems is enough to trump any other consideration.

And now we hear it has submitted plans to pour more radio-active waste into the Clyde from the reactors of nuclear subs, and emit more radio-active gases into the atmosphere when proposed new submarine work comes to the base. And, as usual, these plans have come accompanied with the customary soothing noises about ‘no danger to the public’ etc etc.

Yet the MOD, and the nuclear industry generally, have a track record of secrecy and downright disinformation when it comes to accidents, incidents, or contravention of agreed best practice.

We’ve only just found out about an incident at the naval reactor in Caithness which happened two years ago. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency managed to belie its title by keeping stumm on the advice of the Ministry.

Last month the MOD had another bright wheeze to dump radioactive waste from Rosyth in Dumfries and Galloway, far from the first time this attractive neck of the Scottish woods has been nominated as a rubbish bin.

Now SEPA is to be given statutory powers over matters like radioactive discharges. Let’s hope it also locates the bottle to use them when necessary.