§ Mr. Frank Cookasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the communication procedures between the principal centres of the Government and the Government of the French Republic regarding emergencies following radioactive discharges were last used and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThere has not so far been any need to use these procedures. The agreement signed in July 1983 provides that an exercise should be carried out within 12 months to test them. Officials of my Department and members of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate met their French counterparts at the end of November, to discuss outstanding matters under the agreement in preparation for such an exercise.