§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what are the requirements placed upon British Nuclear Fuels by covenant to the Crown Commissioners under the deed of grant of 12 May 1975 in respect of any prior approval or consent needed from the commissioners before any modifications or additions can be made to the existing pipelines at Sellafield;
(2) what prior approval was sought from, and what consent was given by, the Crown Commissioners before the installation by British Nuclear Fuels of the 220 mm internal-diameter polyethylene discharge pipeline in June 1987 at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerBritish Nuclear Fuels plc consulted and received consent from the Crown Commissioners for the installation of the discharge pipeline in accordance with the covenant under the deed of grant.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the 220 mm internal-diameter polytethylene discharge pipeline installed by British Nuclear Fuels at Sellafield during June 1987 complies with the requirements of the nuclear site licence and authorisation certificate for Sellafield; whether British Nuclear Fuels consulted the appropriate authorising parties with regard to compliance with the licence and certificate prior to the commissioning and use of the pipeline; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI understand that the polyethylene pipeline complies with the requirements of the Sellafield nuclear site licence and the liquid effluent authorisation.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many pipelines have been installed for the discharge of liquid effluent from the British Nuclear Fuels Sellafield plant in Cumbria to the marine environment of the Irish sea; what was the year of installation and of commissioning of each of the pipelines; what was the year during which any individual pipeline was permanently withdrawn from service; what was the type of material and the effective internal diameter of each of the pipelines; whether in each case the construction, installation and exact condition of the pipeline is in accord with the requirements and conditions of the nuclear site licence and the discharge authorisation certificate for the Sellafield site; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerFour such pipelines have been installed since 1949. In each case the construction and installation was in accordance with the requirements of the authorising Government Departments and regulatory bodies.