Nuclear Accidents (Hansard, 19 May 1986)

§ Mr. Wrigglesworth
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what studies have been carried out into the possible consequences in Britain of an accident involving a French nuclear reactor on the Channel coast leading to the loss of all or part of its inventory of radioactive materials; and what contingency plans exist for such an eventuality.

§ Mr. Goodlad
The United Kingdom has a formal agreement with France for the exchange of information in the event of an accident at a nuclear installation. The32W relevant parts of our own civil nuclear emergency plans would be implemented in the event of any risk of significant radioactivity reaching this country from France.

§ Mr. Wrigglesworth
asked the Secretary of State for Energy what arrangements have been made with the French Government for the timely passage of information in the event of an accident to a French nuclear reactor.

§ Mr. Goodlad
An agreement with France on exchanges of information in the event of emergencies occurring in one of the two states which could have radiological consequences for the other state entered into force on 18 July 1983. This agreement, which took the form of an exchange of notes, was published as Cmnd. 9041.

§ Mr. Wrigglesworth
asked the Secretary of State for Energy if any consideration has been given to the establishment of a fund from which property owners, farmers and other individuals affected by a possible accident to a French or other foreign nuclear reactor could seek redress for loss of life or property; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Goodlad
Arrangements for compensation to third parties arising out of nuclear accidents are governed by the 1960 Paris convention on third party liability in the field of nuclear energy and the supplementary 1963 Brussels convention. These are given effect in the United Kingdom by the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, as amended.
Under the terms of the conventions (to which both the United Kingdom and France are signatories) the operator of a nuclear installation is liable up to certain limits for nuclear damage caused by his installation. Beyond these limits, further liabilities up to an internationally agreed limit are met by signatory Governments.