§ Mr. CohenTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cracks have been discovered in nuclear power stations; how many of them arise as a result of the use of Inconel 600; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleAs a result of routine inspection programmes to support the operational safety cases, cracks have been identified in some of the steam header welds at the Dungeness B and Heysham 1 nuclear power stations. The precise number of these cracks is difficult to establish. Both stations remain closed while the operator, Nuclear Electric, undertakes appropriate remedial work and prepares safety cases for the return of the plants to operation. The two stations will only be brought back into operation once the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate is satisfied that it is safe for them to do so.
Inconel 600 is not used in the welds where the cracks have occurred.