§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Transport when, on what dates, and in what manner railway staff, hospital staff, fire and council emergency services have been trained and taught what to do if the flasks containing nuclear waste were blown up at Stratford railway station; what discussions have ensued with the trades unions concerned on this and related subjects; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeMy right hon. Friend's responsibility is to ensure that these materials are transported only in accordance with very high international safety standards. These standards are designed to prevent leakage of radioactive material from the flasks used even in a very serious accident. I assume that the question refers to deliberate and determined attack on the flasks, since irradiated nuclear fuel is not transported under conditions which might lead to it "blowing up". The massive structure of the flasks would make them highly resistant to terrorist attack.
Flasks are carried by British Railways in accordance with their own well-proven standards of safe operation. Their safety arrangements are the subject of continuous discussions with the unions. The 341W railway staff concerned have their instructions on procedures to follow in an emergency. Emergency procedures to cope with transport accidents involving radioactivity are tested from time to time by exercises held jointly between BR, CEGB and the emergency services. The last such exercise was on 27 September.
Over and above these, there are national contingency arrangements for dealing with major disasters of any kind, including those involving radioactivity.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Transport (1) on what date he received a communication from the chief executive of the London borough of Newham regarding the transport of nuclear waste through Stratford E.15; what was the complaint and request made by the chief executive; what action he has taken or intends taking to deal with the council's complaints; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) whether he will agree to meet a deputation led by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West of local residents and councillors of the London borough of Newham who wish to express their concern and discuss matters connected with the movement of nuclear waste through Stratford, East London.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeA letter from the chief executive was received in my Department on 16 October. It registered the concern of the council and residents of the borough of Newham about the carriage of irradiated nuclear fuel by rail through Stratford and requested that such operations should cease, pending an inquiry into the safety of existing arrangements and consideration of alternative means of transport.
I am satisfied that the present arrangements do not involve any significant risk to the public and that the cessation of these movements is not justified. Nevertheless, I have written to the hon. Member agreeing to his request to meet him and a deputation from the borough to discuss this matter.