§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the demands that would arise from local authorities and other public and environmental protection services of a ship being grounded on the Welsh coast while transporting spent nuclear fuel; if he will list the organisations he has consulted regarding such an event; and what plans he has to require and inter-agency exercise involving his Department and all other relevant organisations in Wales to identify and plan for such an event.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesWithin the United Kingdom, the Department of Transport is responsible for the regulations governing, and for assessing the safety of, all radioactive material transports. Stringent safety requirements mean that the flasks containing spent nuclear fuel are designed and tested to such a standard that it is extremely unlikely they would be damaged if a ship carrying them ran aground. The carriers of such flasks also have comprehensive contingency plans, regularly tested in exercises, for all stages of a ship's journey; and these include the safe recovery of flasks in any marine accident.
In the unlikely event of a ship carrying radioactive cargo running aground off the Welsh coast, the Department of Transport would inform the Welsh Office and other relevant Departments. Other local interests would be informed and involved as appropriate; and established civil emergency arrangements brought into action as required.