HL Deb 08 April 1987 vol 486 c1107WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What casualty estimates have been made and what evacuation plans are proposed in the event of a major accident owing to human error at Sizewell.

Viscount Davidson

The safety procedures taken in the design and construction of nuclear installations make it highly unlikely that any nuclear accident would lead to casualties among the public. But however remote the risks, all operators of nuclear installations are required to have standing arrangements to deal with accidental releases of radioactivity which cover both emergency procedures at the site and off-site arrangements to protect the public. These plans include provision for monitoring out to about 20 miles, sheltering up to five miles, and evacuation up to one and a half miles and are capable of extension if required. They are tested regularly in exercises which are monitored by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.