HL Deb 22 April 1993 vol 544 cc1707-8

Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, following the statement by the Earl of Caithness that the safety standard for transport of plutonium by air in this country "is extremely high" [Official Report, 10th February, col. 633], they will bring the standard in line with that prevailing in the United States of America, even if this has the effect of deterring such transport.

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords, we have no plans to do so.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, has the Minister seen the statement by the American Nuclear Control Institute which points out that American standards are much more rigid than those in force in this country? In those circumstances will he have another look at that? Will the Minister consider that the transport of plutonium from Germany to this country should not be encouraged until such time as it is possible to enforce the kind of standards which operate in the United States?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, the matter is being looked at. At the moment the transport of plutonium is covered by IAEA regulations which are of a very high standard.

The Earl of Halsbury

My Lords, the word "deterring" is used in the Question. Can the Minister say how anybody in their right mind can connive at deterring the transport of plutonium from a less safe to a more safe store?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I wonder that too.

Lord Clinton-Davis

My Lords, quite apart from being aware of the considerations which the Government have applied to this issue, is it right that the Americans insist on much higher standards? Is it also right that the House of Commons Select Committee concluded: Carriage by air of all except the very lowest levels of radio active materials should be prohibited"? Is it not also right that the IAEA considers that the test drop from 27 feet, upon which the Government have relied, is not wholly reliable? In all those circumstances, are we to understand from the last reply given by the Minister that the Government are actually thinking about the situation and that their position is not inflexible?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, there is no reason at all to doubt the IAEA's standards. The noble Lord should cast his mind back to the ACTRAM report of 1988. It said that the matter should be investigated to see whether the disparities between American standards and IAEA standards should be focused on with a view to bringing them closer together. That is what is happening.

Lord Clinton-Davis

My Lords, in those circumstances can the Minister say what progress has been made towards removing the disparities since 1988?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, the matter is being looked at at the moment.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, the noble Earl continues to say that everything is being looked at at the moment. Will he say which department of government is responsible for the actual inspection and enforcement of regulations for plutonium being flown over this country? Which department has the duty to make sure that those regulations are not only adequate but are enforced?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, IAEA standards are in force. The Department of Transport is notified when there is to be a movement of plutonium.

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