§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Energy what responsibility the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has for ensuring the security of nuclear materials.
§ Mr. BennThe United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is responsible to me for the security of nuclear materials in its possession. Its commercial subsidiary, British Nuclear Fuels Limited, is also required to meet the security standards set by the Authority. Security arrangements maintained by the Authority are kept under continuous review by my Department.
§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of 454W nuclear material and nuclear waste has been unaccounted for over the past five years; and what steps have been taken to trace such materials.
§ Mr. BennI am advised that collated records of material unaccounted for are not maintained centrally but are kept separately at each installation. Public security could be prejudiced by disclosure of these figures. As nuclear materials pass through a series of complex physical and chemical processes apparent losses or gains of material are experienced. Such apparent losses or gains arise principally from inherent uncertainties in measurements, and at all our nuclear installations constant effort is applied to reducing these uncertainties by the development and application of more effective measurement and accountancy procedures. These procedures are reinforced by physical security measures directed against the possibility of real losses.
§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) at what intervals security arrangements for the storage of nuclear material and nuclear waste are reviewed; and if he will make a statement;
(2) at what intervals security arrangements for nuclear materials and nuclear waste in transit are reviewed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BennSecurity arrangements for the storage and transit of nuclear materials and nuclear waste are kept under review, on a continuing basis.