HC Deb 29 March 1982 vol 21 cc42-3W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations cover the transportation of atomic waste and weapons; and whether he will place a copy of these regulations in the Library.

Mr. Eyre

The relevant regulations are as follows:

  1. i. Road: Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) (Great Britain) Regulations 1974 (SI 1974/1735), Radioactive Substances (Road Transport Workers) (Great Britain) Regulations 1970 (SI 1970/1827) and (Amendment) Regulations 1975 (SI 1975/1522).
  2. ii. Rail: British Railways Board List of Dangerous Goods (LDG) and Conditions of Acceptance by Freight Train and Passenger Train—Class 7 Radioactive Materials BR 22426 (1977 Edition).
  3. iii. Sea: Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1981 (SI 1981/1747).
  4. iv. Air: Air Navigation Order 1980 (SI 1980/1965).

These regulations are all based on the International Atomic Energy Agency's "Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials' 1973 revised edition (as amended) [IAEA safety series 6]. Copies are available in the Library.

Transport by sea and air is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade. The transport of nuclear weapons is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the regulations relating to the transportation of dangerous substances;

(2) whether there are regulations governing the constituency of the load of dangerous substances which are regularly transported through residential areas; and if he will place copies of the relevant regulations in the Library.

Mr. Eyre

I am placing in the Library a list of the orders and regulations governing the carriage of dangerous substances by road. Carriage by rail is subject to the list of dangerous goods and conditions of acceptance, which may be obtained from British Rail.