Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the United Kingdom airports(a) that have been used since May 1986 and (b) that are currently being used for the transport of gramme samples of plutonium; and with what frequency;
(2) if he will list the United Kingdom airports (a) that have been used since May 1986 and (b) which are currently used for the transport of plutonium in larger than gramme samples;
(3) whether Bournemouth, Hurn, airport is still being used for the transport of plutonium products by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority; what is the total amount of separated plutonium transported through the airport (a) since such operations began and (b) since May 1979; and what proportions of the above constituted shipments of plutonium as (i) plutonium dioxide powder, (ii) plutonium in fresh fuel elements, and (iii) plutonium in other forms.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 15 December 1988]: 1 understand that the airports used currently and since May 1986 for the transport of gramme samples of plutonium are Manchester and London Heathrow. The United Kingdom airports used currently and since May 412W 1986 for the transport of larger than gramme samples of plutonium are Carlisle, Dounreay. Wick and Bournemouth (Hurn).
I understand that the UKAEA uses Bournemouth (Hum) airport for the occasional shipment of nuclear materials, including plutonium, for research purposes in support of the civil nuclear power programme. All consignments of radioactive materials are subject to the International Civil Aviation Organisation's technical instructions for the carriage of radioactive materials by air. The Department does not keep statistical information about the nature and quantities of material transported.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the United Kingdom ports which(a) have been used and (b) are currently being used for the transport of separated plutonium as (i) plutonium dioxide powder, (ii) plutonium in fresh fuel elements and (iii) plutonium in other forms.
§ Mr. Portillo[holding answer 15 December 1988]: I understand the United Kingdom ports that have been used to transport separated plutonium are Poole, Liverpool, Southampton, Dover, Hull. Newhaven, Portsmouth, Workington and Scrabster.
The ports currently being used for such transport are Newhaven, Portsmouth, Liverpool (all for samples and specimen fuel pins only), Workington and Scrabster. The Department does not keep statistical information about the nature and quantities of material transported.