§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What accounting procedures are in place for depleted uranium within the aircraft industry which satisfy the requirements of RSA93 registrations and the Ionising Radiations Regulations. [HL3433]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)Premises that maintain or dismantle aircraft containing depleted uranium will need to hold 125WA registrations under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. Copies of these registrations can be made available to the public through Environment Agency offices. Copies are also sent to local authorities so that they can be made available to the public. The Environment Agency is encouraging the replacement of radioactive aircraft components with those made of non-radioactive materials.
RSA93 requirements would apply to depleted uranium in storage, but would not apply to aircraft in service. RSA93 does not apply to depleted uranium in military aircraft. However, the Ministry of Defence has instituted arrangements for accounting for depleted uranium that are parallel to the RSA93 requirements.
Accounting procedures are a matter for the aircraft industry, but the Environment Agency and Health and Safety Executive need to be satisfied that RSA93 and Ionising Radiations Regulations (1999) requirements are complied with.
§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether premises that maintain or dismantle aircraft containing depleted uranium have to be registered; and whether any such list is available to the public. [HL3434]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvillePremises that maintain or dismantle aircraft containing depleted uranium will need to hold registrations under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. Copies of these registrations can be made available to the public through Environment Agency offices. Copies are also sent to local authorities so that they can be made available to the public.
§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions government agencies and departments have had with representatives of United Kingdom airlines and the aircraft manufacturing, serving and dismantling industries to ensure all participants are aware of the issues surrounding depleted uranium use within the industry and the applicable United Kingdom law. [HL3432]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe Environment Agency has contacted major UK airlines and organisations involved in aircraft maintenance and recycling regarding the issues surrounding depleted uranium use within the industry and regulatory requirements under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The Environment Agency is encouraging the replacement of radioactive aircraft components with those made of non-radioactive materials.