§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister regarding the transfer of radioactive material from Georgia to Dounreay; what is his policy on(a) public consultation and (b) public information with regard to the importing of radioactive material into Dounreay; and if he will make a statement. [39916]
§ Mr. MacdonaldThe normal process of consultation by exchanges of minutes among appropriate Cabinet Ministers took place.
Policy on public consultation and information on the importing of radioactive material into the UK is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. I understand that in the interests of security no prior notice is given about such movements of radioactive material. However once such movements have been completed there is no such restriction. Details of this particular movement were confirmed in the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Dr. Stoate) on 24 April 1998, Official Report, column 721.
47WA summary of all of Dounreay's activities is presented to the local liaison committee which meets twice a year. These meetings are open to the public. All activities at Dounreay are subject to strict independent regulation by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.