THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGHMy lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that security precautions at gas pressure control installations and nuclear power stations are adequate.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY (LORD DELACOURT-SMITH)My Lords, the Gas Council advise me that they are reviewing the scope for possible improvements in the light of the recent vandalism at Leavesden. The main question is really one of providing stouter locks and doors to resist forcible entry by unauthorised persons. Security precautions at power stations sites are primarily a matter for the Generating Board, but in so far as these have any implications for nuclear safety I am satisfied that the Board's precautions are completely adequate. The Central Electricity Generating Board are of course tightening up their general security arrangements as a result of the Wilson Report into commissioning delays.
THE EARL OF BESSBOROUGHMy lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. But is he aware that the kind of sabotage perpetrated at the Watford gas control station could well endanger the safety and lives of thousands of people? Does not the noble Lord realise that incidents of this kind, including vandalism at Wylfa, are making some people think that we are losing all semblance of law and order in this country?
§ LORD DELACOURT-SMITHMy Lords, I think the two situations are quite different, and, while not underestimating the hazard involved in each of the cases, I hope that we shall keep a sense of perspective and recognise that there is no justification for talking of either of these situations in panic terms.