§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many aeroplane flights occurred in 1995 in UK airspace in which(a) high-level, (b) intermediate-level and (c) low-level radioactive material was carried; and what was the total number of aeroplane flights in 1995 in UK airspace in which radioactive material was carried. [7599]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Department does not hold information of the kind requested. However, it is estimated that of the order of 10,000 flights carrying packages of radioactive material currently occur each year, the vast majority of which contain limited quantities for medical or industrial use in excepted or Type A packages.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which(a) airports and (b) ports (i) are permitted to handle radioactive material and (ii) were used in 1995 for the shipment of radioactive material. [7600]
§ Ms JacksonThe information is as follows
- (i) Radioactive material may be moved through any port or airport.
- (ii) The Department does not hold information of the kind requested.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is the Government's policy to allow an unlimited number of movements of radioactive material by air provided International Atomic Energy Agency standards are met. [7601]
§ Ms JacksonThe movement by radioactive material by air, in common with all dangerous goods, is regulated by The Air Navigation (No 2) Order 1995 and The Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1994 as amended 1996. These place no limit on the number of such movements.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government plans to introduce the revised regulations set out in the 1996 edition of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials. [7602]
§ Ms JacksonI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones),Official Report, 16 June 1997, column 42.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many crashes have occurred in each year since 1967 in which aircraft carrying consignments of radioactive material within UK airspace have been involved; and what(a) volume and (b) level of radioactivity was involved in each case. [7604]
16W
§ Ms JacksonWe are aware of two such accidents, one in 1968 and the other in 1987. In each case 1.1 Giga-Becquerels of radioactivity were being carried in a single Type A package. In neither case was any radioactivity released from the packages.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government permits the transportation of radioactive materials(a) via the channel tunnel and (b) on passenger ferries. [7605]
§ Ms JacksonSuch transport is permitted subject to(a) the rules and restrictions of Eurotunnel, as approved by the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority of the UK/France Intergovernmental Commission and (b) compliance with The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1990 and Merchant Shipping Notice No. M. 1432, "The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants in ships, the 'Blue Book' and the IMDG Code".
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many flights have taken place since 1990 in which spent nuclear fuel was carried within United Kingdom airspace; what were the places of origin and destination in each case; and what was the volume carried in each case. [7607]
§ Ms JacksonNone.