§ Mr. Flynnasked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Meirionydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Thomas) 24 July, at column 520, if he has now received the nuclear installations inspectorate's audit progress report on Sellafield's safety improvements; and if he will now make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI understand from the Health and Safety Executive that British Nuclear Fuels plc has made good progress in meeting the improvements required in the HSE's Sellafield audit report which cover four main areas:—
- (i) plant: short and medium term improvements have been carried out. Those with a longer timescale which involve design and modification proposals, are being agreed between BNF plc and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.
- (ii) safety cases: BNF plc are on target for the preparation of safety cases which are required by the end of the year and priorities for work in subsequent years have also been agreed.
- (iii) training: training procedures for all levels of staff have been improved following a thorough review; and
- (iv) operating procedures: these have been completely reviewed and in some cases (such as shift handover) new procedures have been reintroduced. Quality assurance systems are being used to reinforce operating procedures.
Dr. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Energy, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newport West (Mr. Flynn) of 20 July, at column 19, how many meetings, involving how many staff from his Department, have been held between his Department and the European Commission following the completion of the consultations on Sellafield safeguards to which he made reference.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI have nothing to add to my answer to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) of 20 July at column19.