§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what assessment has been made of the risk of explosion of the Sizewell B pressurised water reactor pressure vessel if there were an external crack;
(2) if he will publish the studies conducted into the consequences of an explosion of the reactor pressure vessel of the Sizewell B power station in property damage and land denial; and whether any assessment has been made of the costs thereof.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe reports of the Sizewell B and Hinkley Point C inquiries and the examination by the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate of the safety cases made by the Central Electricity Generating Board on the two proposed pressurised water reactors demonstrate the very full assessment that has been made of the risk of pressure vessel failure including the question of risk from external cracks. In the light of the evidence presented at both inquiries, the respective inspectors concluded that the risk of explosion is extremely remote. No studies have, therefore, been made of the consequences of such an explosion.