HL Deb 10 February 1993 vol 542 cc633-4

Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether plutonium is being flown over Britain in containers designed to withstand a drop of only 27 feet and, if so, whether an accident might cause a major nuclear disaster.

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

My Lords, the containers being used for the carriage of plutonium and other radioactive materials are designed and tested to withstand extremely severe conditions. The advisory committee on the safe transport of radioactive materials in its report in 1988 advised that the health risk to people from the transport of radioactive materials, including civil plutonium by air, was extremely remote and acceptable. The report discussed and effectively ruled out any possibility of a major nuclear disaster from such transport.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, is the Minister aware that that is not the practice in other countries? Is he aware that in the United States, for example, the restrictions are so severe that no transport of plutonium takes place in the air? Is he also aware that in some countries such transport is prohibited and that the degree of safety in this country is below that anywhere in the world? Will the Government look at the problem again?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I take strong issue with the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins. The safety standard in this country is extremely high and rigorous. It is approved by the IAEA and therefore it applies not only to this country.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, in those circumstances I shall write to the Minister because there appears to be a factual difference between us.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I am not surprised that there is a difference between us. It has happened before and doubtless it will happen again.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, is it not the case that the House of Commons Environment Committee warned against such transfer of plutonium? Although the Question refers to transport by air, is it not the case that the Japanese Government have prohibited the landing of plutonium in any of Japan's ports and have cancelled arrangements for the use of a specially converted ship? Does that not show that there is serious concern? As the Government have set up a Cabinet committee to decide whether the THORP project in Cumbria should continue, should not the matter be reconsidered?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, we share entirely the concern of the noble Lord, Lord Underhill, for the safe transport of hazardous waste. That precisely is why ACTRAM was set up, with specialists available to give advice. That is why ACTRAM studied the situation so carefully and reached its conclusions.

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