§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contingency plans have been put in place against the event of a shipwreck involving a ship carrying nuclear waste to Sellafield off the coast of the UK. [70372]
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 17 July 2002]: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) response to an incident involving a ship carrying radioactive materials will follow the procedures laid down in the National Contingency Plan (NCP) for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations. The MCA would lead and co-ordinate a multi-agency response bringing in key organisations to provide advice and support as required.
British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) and its subsidiary Pacific Nuclear Transport Limited (PNTL) have produced emergency response procedures that are compatible with the NCP for their fleet of seven vessels which are specifically designed for the carriage of radioactive materials. Each ship of the fleet has a Shipboard Marine Emergency Plan which follows the guidelines prepared by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization. BNFL and other nuclear operators are technically competent in responding to incidents involving radioactive material and would provide radiological advice to the MCA as required.