§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Government policy relating to the level of funds available to meet third party claims for damages resulting from a nuclear accident.
§ Mr. GoodladI have been asked to reply.
The Nuclear Installations Act 1965, as amended, provides, in the first instance, for funds up to the sterling equivalent of 300 million SDR (currently about £250 million) to be available to satisfy compensation claims in 362W made by the then Home Secretary in November 1983, offenders convicted of the most heinous murders can normally expect to serve at least 20 years in custody, and there will be cases where the gravity of the offence requires a still longer period to be served.
the event of a nuclear accident. Beyond that, the Act provides that claims shall be satisfied to such extent and out of funds provided by such means as Parliament may determine.