HC Deb 20 March 1986 vol 94 c257W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) why, on the occasion of an escape of radioactive gas from a pressure relief safety valve at Trawsfynydd power station on 21 February, an emergency alert was not established as soon as radioactive particles were found in the public land near the station; and if he will make a statement;

(2) whether inspections are to be completed on the other pressure relief valve filters, besides the one involved in the discharge of gas on 21 February, of the R1 Trawsfynydd power station reactor, and on any similar filters fitted to other Magnox and advanced gas cooled reactor power stations; and if he will make a statement;

(3) whether safety checks are to be completed on the pressure relief valves of the R1 Trawsfynydd reactor, on the identical valves of the R2 Trawsfynydd reactor, and on any other similar valves fitted to other Magnox and advanced gas cooled reactor power stations; and if he will make a statement;

(4) why the particular pressure relief valve involved in the gas discharge on 21 February at Trawsfynydd power station lifted on that occasion;

(5) why, when radioactive gas began to escape from a pressure relief safety valve at Trawsfynydd power station on 21 February at 07.50 hours and the first radioactive particles were found at 09.30 hours, a site incident, as specified by the station emergency plan, was not declared until 12.03.

Mr. Goodlad

I have asked the chairman of the CEGB to provide this information. The CEGB, as operator, is responsible for the safety of its operations, and carried out its own technical inquiry immediately after the incident.