§ Mr. Frank CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to carry out full destructive testing of air transport and packaging options proposed for the movement of plutonium nitrate; and what standards or safety guidelines are currently used for the design and operations of such air transport options.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThere are no plans to transport plutonium nitrate by air.
British Nuclear Fuels plc is examining options for the return of reprocessed plutonium oxide to Japan in the 1990s. A programme to develop and test a suitable package for air transport is currently being undertaken. The Department is being kept informed of progress and in due course the design will be submitted for approval. The package is being designed to the standards prescribed by the United States Government. The International Atomic Energy Agency is currently reviewing the international regulations covering these matters.