§ 17. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on his visit to Chernobyl in December 1986.
54W
§ Mr. GoodladDuring my right hon. Friend's visit to Chernobyl he saw the remarkable efforts which have gone into dealing with contamination and into preventing further contamination through construction of a massive shield around the destroyed reactor. My right hon. Friend was able to learn at first hand of Soviet measures to prevent any recurrence of the disaster and of their plans for a programme to double their nuclear capacity. My right hon. Friend agreed with Soviet Ministers on the importance of working through the IAEA to secure improvements in international co-operation on nuclear safety. My right hon. Friend has placed the joint communiqué issued after his visit in the Library of the House.