Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will request Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations to review the licensing of advanced gas-cooled reactors;
(2) if he will request Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations to investigate the problem of advanced gas-cooled reactor fuel assembly vibration and fuel rod fracture potential.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerOperators of all AGR stations must comply with the stringent safety requirements of the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate in order to secure consent for continued operation. The licensing of AGRs is the subject of continuous review by the NII.
The NII is fully aware of the present position regarding fuel assembly vibration and fuel rod fracture potential in AGRs and of the further work being done on these issues.