§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the ticking train alert at Stratford, East London, on 15 November concerning nuclear fuel flask transportation.
§ Mr. David MitchellCEGB experts attended Temple Mills goods yard on 15 November after ticking was reported coming from a nuclear flask wagon. The noise was found to be due to a monitoring instrument which had been inadvertently left under the wagon cover and was responding normally to background radiation. After removal of the instrument the flask, which was being returned empty from Sellafield, continued on its journey. There was no danger at any time to workers or members of the public.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Transport by what method and how long it took, for the Central Electricity Generating Board physicist to arrive at the scene of the ticking train alert at Stratford, East London, on 15 November.
§ Mr. David MitchellQuestions about the detailed operation of the emergency procedures should be addressed to the CEGB. However I understand that in this case it was swiftly recognised that the circumstances did not constitute an emergency and it was then about an hour before the experts arrived on the scene.