§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any debris from the Pan Am disaster fell on or near to Chapelcross or Calder Hall nuclear power stations; what safety arrangements there are to protect those power stations from airborne material; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangI am advised by the Dumfries and Galloway constabulary that the nearest debris was found about three miles from Chapelcross and 45 miles from Calder Hall power stations. The debris was located on the perimeter of the wreckage trail and was of a light and wind-borne nature.
For all licensed nuclear sites the operator is required to show that the probability of a damaging impact from airborne debris resulting from aircraft crashes or mid-air disintegration is sufficiently low to support the judgment that no further specific features need to be incorporated into the design of the station to take account of such impacts.
Nuclear power stations are of robust construction. The concrete and steel structures and built-in reactor protection systems give an inherent strength against a number of hazards.
As a further measure the Air Navigation Order Regulations restrict aircraft movement within specified distances of nuclear installations and the Ministry of Defence operates a similar prohibition in the case of military aircraft.