§ 4. Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has had any discussions with BNFL on health and safety in the workplace.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Eric Forth)No, but officials from the Health and Safety Executive are in regular communication with BNFL on health and safety matters in discharging their normal regulatory functions.
§ Mr. GriffithsIf the Government are so sure about the health and safety record, why do not they encourage BNFL to go for on-site storage and reprocessing, rather than letting highly toxic nuclear fuels travel through my constituency in the heart of Edinburgh on their way from Torness?
§ Mr. ForthThe answer is simple. The Health and Safety Executive has responsibility for safety levels at sites such as BNFL and others, through the nuclear installations inspectorate, and I am satisfied that it discharges its responsibility to the full. The record of safety at nuclear sites fully bears that out. Responsibility for transporting materials of whatever kind from one place to another comes under the Department of Transport and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will pursue his inquiries with that Department.