§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Energy what arrangements exist to compensate those who suffer loss as a result of an accident in any nuclear reactor; and what is the extent of that compensation.
§ Mr. GoodladThe Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended) makes the operator of a nuclear installation liable to pay compensation up to specified limits (usually £20 million) in respect of injury or damage arising Flom a nuclear accident. The operator must provide financial security, by insurance or otherwise, to meet such claims. Claims in excess of the operator's liability and up to the sterling equivalent of 300 million SDR (currently about £250 million) would be met from public funds. 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.