§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the remit of the Energy Review Group has been extended to include the consideration of security at nuclear power stations. [16796]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 22 November 2001]: The energy review was not extended in this way because the PIU is not the competent body for reviewing the security of nuclear installations.
567WThe Office for Civil Nuclear Security, the security regulator at civil nuclear sites, sets stringent standards for security at nuclear sites. OCNS works closely with the Health and Safety Executive, the safety regulator, which provides advice on the safety implications of events, including external hazards such as plane crashes, at nuclear installations. Security and safety precautions at nuclear sites are kept under regular review. Both regulators are reviewing all relevant precautions in the light of the recent terrorist attacks in the USA.
The issue of energy infrastructure security in the face of terrorist activity has been raised at a general level in meetings and workshops held by the PIU after 11 September.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations the Energy Review Group have received in relation to security at nuclear power stations following the events of 11 September. [16801]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 22 November 2001]: The deadline for written submissions to the PIU Energy Review was before 11 September and so the majority of material received does not make reference to the tragic events in New York. The issue of energy infrastructure security in the face of terrorist activity has been raised at a general level in subsequent meetings and workshops held by the PIU and in the small number of late replies.
A list of the submissions received by the Energy Review and a summary of the key themes raised can be viewed at the PIU website at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation. Section B7 of the summary outlines the various points made to the review concerning nuclear power.