HC Deb 27 January 2003 vol 398 cc597-8W
Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which organisations were responsible for security at Sizewell B at 6.00 am on 13 January 2003; and what their responsibilities are; [93219]

(2) pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith) of 20th January 2003, Official Report, column 9, what lessons were learnt from the Greenpeace UK incursion to Sizewell B in October 2002; and what actions were taken as a result of those lessons; [93220]

(3) pursuant to her oral statement of 14 January 2003, Official Report, column 547, on the Sizewell security breach, when the Government's preliminary conclusion from the inquiry will be acted upon. [93254]

Mr. Wilson

The Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS), the security regulator, is reviewing security following the incursion into Sizewell B nuclear power station on 13 January by demonstrators organised by Greenpeace. Some security enhancements have already been identified and any others arising during the review will be implemented as soon as practicable. An earlier review was conducted following the incursion in October 2002 and action taken.

Responsibility for security at the Sizewell B nuclear power station lies with British Energy, the site licensee. Site management comply with the company's security plan in respect of the site as required by the Nuclear Generating Stations (Security) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No. 665). OCNS, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, advises site management about security threats, specifies the security standards to be followed, approves the security plan and monitors compliance. OCNS had already required the station to implement several additional measures in response to the heightened terrorist threat.