§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for energy when he was informed that an emergency shutdown procedure is to be performed on Trawsfynydd nuclear reactor on 12 February; if he is satisfied with the safety precautions to be taken to protect the residents of the surrounding area during this procedure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe proposed test at Trawsfynydd does not involve an emergency shutdown and will take place only afte the reactor has been safely shut down in the normal manner. It will proceed only if the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate is totally satisfied as to safety.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy when he was first advised of the proposed 857W experimental shutdown at Trawsfynydd power station; whether this experiment has his approval; what emergency arrangements are being organised along the west coast of Wales and England; whether he has received objections to this experiment; and if he will now instruct the Central Electricity Generating Board to abandon this experiment.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThis is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate which received on 30 November last year the CEGB's proposal for a test of natural cooling following the routine shutdown of a reactor at Trawsfynydd. The NII is presently considering the proposal, and the test will proceed only if it is totally satisfied as to safety. Details of emergency arrangements for nuclear power stations are to be found in the reply given on 22 April 1987 at columns547–51 by my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad).