HC Deb 05 May 1999 vol 330 cc388-9W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has of the number of packages of radioactive material carried within the United Kingdom by common carriers for the last year for which figures are available. [83131]

Ms Glenda Jackson

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: Data are not collected separately on whether radioactive material is carried by common carriers or by a company's own transport, as they are required to meet the provisions of the same regulations. It was estimated in 1997 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. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what controls exist over the movement within the United Kingdom of radioactive packages by common carriers. [83133]

Ms Glenda Jackson

[holding answer 4 May 1999]: The transport of radioactive material within the UK, by whatever type of carrier, is controlled by a number regulatory requirements. The main regulations are as follows:

Road The Radioactive Material (Road Transport) (Great Britain) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No. 1350). The Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1983 (SR 1983 No. 344). The Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986 (SR 1986 No 61).

Sea The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No. 2367); Merchant Shipping Notice No. M 1620, "The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants in Packaged Form on Ships".

Air The Air Navigation (No. 2) Order 1995 SI No. 1970. The Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1994 SI No. 3187 and Amendments 1996 SI No. 3100 and 1998 SI No. 2536.

Ports The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 (SI 1987 No. 37).

Rail The Packaging, Labelling and Carriage of Radioactive Material by Rail Regulations (RAMRai1) 1996 (SI 1996 No. 2090): Approved Requirements for the packaging, labelling and carriage of radioactive material by rail 1996 Edition. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations (CDGCPL) 1996 (SI 1996 No. 2092). The Packaging, Labelling and Carriage of Radioactive Material by Rail Regulations (Northern Ireland) (RAMRailNI) 1998 (SR 1998 No. 132).