§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport why British Rail trains carrying nuclear waste have passed through Halifax without specific notification to the local council; and what safety measures are being taken to ensure the safety of people living near to the line in the event of an accident.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe regulations which control the transport of radioactive materials require full protection to be built in to the design of the containers so that they would not present a significant radiological hazard, even in the event of a severe accident. The choice of routes used is not therefore dependent on safety considerations and there is no need to involve local authorities.