§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the seaworthiness of ships that will carry cargoes of nuclear waste from Japan to Sellafield. [68090]
§ Mr. JamiesonShips are subject to mandatory survey by their flag administration in accordance with the requirements of the International Maritime Organisation. The ships that are transporting MOX fuel from Japan to Sellafield are flagged with the UK and so the survey and certification arrangements are the responsibility of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport.
The ships have been subjected to the proper survey regime and hold valid certificates of compliance with the IMO requirements, including the special requirements applicable to ships meeting the highest Class 3 of the International Code for the Safe Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Waste on board Ships.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the risk to coastal areas from ships carrying cargoes of nuclear waste to Sellafield. [68089]
§ Mr. JamiesonBetween 1995 and 1999 the UK participated in an international research project, co-ordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which studied the risks associated with ships carrying radioactive material of all kinds, including nuclear waste. The results of that study were published in IAEA-TECDOC-1231, "Severity, probability and risk of accidents during maritime transport of radioactive material", in July 2001, which is available on the IAEA's website at http://www.iaea.org/ns/rasanetlprogramme/ rad i ation safety/transportsafety/Downloads/Files2001/t1231.pdf.