HC Deb 12 February 1987 vol 110 cc317-9W
Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what statistical demographic criteria, for each type of nuclear reactor, are used in Her Majesty's nuclear installations inspectorate's assessment of the safety of sites for nuclear power stations; if he will publish a list showing for each existing nuclear power station (a) the relevant limiting criteria compared with (b) the actual population figures in each case; and if he will make a statement;

(2) when public safety siting criteria for nuclear installations were last changed or updated; what information on such safety criteria has been published by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goodlad

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, in the light of recommendation 6(a) of the report on the Sizewell public inquiry by Sir Frank Layfield, concerning a review by the Health and Safety Executive of the extent of the area covered by emergency plans, what demographic criteria are satisfied for safety purposes by the site at Sizewell; what is the maximum number of persons likely to be affected by evacuation measures taken in accordance with (a) the existing emergency plan for the present nuclear site and (b) the emergency plan currently considered appropriate with the proposed pressurised water reactor on that site; what is the relevant maximum radius of evacuation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Goodlad

My right hon. Friend has a quasi-judicial role in respect of the Central Electricity Generating Board's application to construct Sizewell B. It would not be proper for him to comment on the inspector's report, including any recommendation, before he has taken his decision.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether ambulance staff have participated in the exercise at the local emergency plan at Chapel Cross, Sellafield, Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Oldbury, Berkeley, Hinkley Point, Winfrith, Dungeness, Bradwell and Sizewell; and, in each case where units were involved, if he will list which ones participated;

(2) if he will list for each of the following power stations what studies have been made of the problems of evacuating all low mobility groups in the event of a worst case atomic accident at Chapel Cross, Sellafield, Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Oldbury, Berkeley, Hinkley Point, Winfrith, Dungerness, Bradwell, Sizewell and Hartlepool; and if he will also list for each study the geographical area covered;

(3) what specialist equipment, including personal dosimeters, radiac survey meters and decontamination meters are available for ambulance staff at: Chapel Cross, Sellafield, Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Oldbury, Berkeley, Hinkley Point, Winfrith, Dungeness, Bradwell and Sizewell, respectively; and in each case what training staff have received;

(4) what training has been given to ambulance staff to deal with a major accident at each of the following nuclear installations: Chapel Cross, Sellafield, Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Oldbury, Berkeley, Hinkley Point, Winfrith, Dungeness, Bradwell, Sizewell and Hartlepool.

Mr. Goodlad

[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987, c. 402]: All nuclear sites operated by the Central Electricity Generating Board, Atomic Energy Authority and British Nuclear Fuels in England and Wales have their own ambulance services which participate in exercises of local emergency plans. It is unlikely that a reference accident at a civil nuclear site would require the services of the NHS ambulance service.

Circulars HC(85)24, and WHC(85)34 in Wales, nevertheless require health authorities, who manage the ambulance service locally, to ensure that all ambulance staff are made aware of the contingency plans at civil nuclear sites and how they fit in with health authorities major accident plans.

NHS ambulance services have participated in exercises at Wylfa, Trawsfynydd, Oldbury, Berkeley, Hinkley Point, Dungeness, Bradwell and Sizewell, and have been alerted to their possible involvement by the police during exercises at Sellafield and Winfrith. Site emergency plans provide in all areas where NHS ambulance service personnel are required to enter contaminated areas that they should be under the direct supervision of qualified staff, and that dosimeters and professional health physics assistance and decontamination equipment would be provided to any such visiting service by site management.

Arrangements for the evacuation of the public, including low mobility groups, are the responsibility of the police.

Emergency planning at Chapelcross is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Scotland.