HC Deb 19 April 1999 vol 329 cc451-2W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much extra training the armed United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority police who will accompany the shipment of MOX fuel from Barrow to Japan have been given; when this extra training was undertaken; what the cost was of the extra training; and if he will make a statement. [81080]

Mr. Battle

Officers of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary have been given comprehensive training, taking full account of their roles and responsibilities when escorting shipments of MOX fuel. The training package, including provision for regular refresher courses, was specially developed by the Constabulary and the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency and delivered under commercial contracts during the past year. Other specialist training has been carried out by the Northumbria Constabulary. Some officers have also completed advanced first aid courses. The costs of the training are a matter for the companies concerned.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many armed United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Police will accompany each shipment of MOX fuel from Barrow to Japan; what weapons they will be armed with; when the first shipment is expected to leave Barrow; and if other countries will be informed in advance of the movements of these shipments through their jurisdictions. [81079]

Mr. Battle

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 18 January 1999,Official Report, columns 364–65.

Mr. Battle

Four secondments from my Department to companies in the oil and gas sector have commenced since 1 May 1997. They are:

to his Department from the oil and gas industry since 1 May 1997. [80848]

Mr. Battle

Four secondments into this Department from the oil and gas industry have commenced since 1 May 1997. They are:

For obvious security reasons details of physical protection arrangements for ships carrying MOX fuel are confidential. The timing of the first shipment is not yet finalised but the intention is to carry it out this calendar year. It has been our practice to inform coastal states, both on and off route, in advance and on a confidential basis, of the movement of High Level Waste shipments. In the case of MOX fuel shipments, we intend to continue this practice, consistent with our international obligations to protect information about the movement of sensitive nuclear materials.