HC Deb 05 December 1991 vol 200 cc186-7W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions since the Windscale reprocessing works at Sellafield was opened for full safeguards inspection in 1986 have Euratom nuclear inspectors visited the B-205 Magnox reprocessing plant; what information they conveyed to his safeguards division following each inspection; and whether the details of the safeguards reports are available for public scrutiny.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Euratom inspectors have access to all civil nuclear material at Sellafield on a continuing basis. Typically, three Euratom officials are involved in inspection work at Sellafield at any one time. They divide their time between the various plants according to their assessment of the inspection needs. Detailed reports are prepared by these officials for the Euratom inspectorate and their findings are confidential to it. As appropriate, Euratom hold discussions with the safeguards office of my Department and with the operator: such discussions are confidential.

From time to time, Euratom publishes summaries of its inspection activities; the most recent is the "Report on the Operations of Euratom Safeguards" dated 19 March 1990, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.