§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the reasons which led to the introduction of new containers for the transport of spent nuclear fuel by rail.
§ Mr. RidleyI understand that the Central Electricity Generating Board has, since 1979, been renewing its fleet of flasks used for transporting spent fuel from first generation—Magnox—reactors.
Each flask design is subject to rigorous assessment and must be certified on my behalf as complying with stringent safety standards formulated by the International Atomic Energy Agency before the flasks can be put into use.
The board has informed me that, in the course of a continuing programme of research, it has carried out tests on a reduced scale model of a now obsolete type of flask. These tests suggested that under extreme impact in one particular attitude, a seal weld of flasks of that type could have been capable of suffering some minor cracks. This conclusion is not directly relevant to the types currently being phased out but the board, although satisfied there is no significant risk to the public, has informed me that it is accelerating their withdrawal.
In the light of this information I am cancelling the relevant certificates of compliance from 14 November.
In view of the hon. Member's question, I have asked the Central Electricity Generating Board to make a statement. I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.