§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will list every crack or any other kind of defect 451W discovered in the reactor or other plant in nuclear power stations since they were first brought into commission; what was the date, location or nature of the defect; how likely it was that each defect, if undiscovered, would have led to a serious accident; what was thought to have been the cause of each defect; and what action was taken in each case to prevent any recurrence;
(2) if he will list every accident that has occurred at nuclear power stations since they first came into commission; what were the dates, locations and nature of the accidents; how much leakage occurred; what was thought to have been the cause of the leaks; how many persons were thought to have been exposed to any radiation; and what action was taken in each case to prevent any recurrence.
§ Mr. Norman LamontI refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to his question on 27 November.—[Vol. 994, c.195–96.]
Incidents reported prior to 1970 under the Nuclear Installations (Dangerous Occurrences) Regulations 1965, and earlier legislation, from nuclear power stations in England and Wales were two in number. On 18 October 1969 and 17 November 1969 there were releases of carbon dioxide—reactor coolant—gas at Wylfa power station. Neither involved injury to persons.
No plant can be entirely free from defects, and the plant is designed to take account of this. There is evidence that the weld defects in the magnox stations have been present since construction; they successfully withstood proof pressure tests prior to the reactors being brought into service and show no evidence of growth during service.
Nuclear power stations in Scotland are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.