§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the breach of safety licence by the South of Scotland electricity board at its Hunterston A Magnox nuclear plants on 25 August 1988.
§ Mr. LangOn 25 August 1988, the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate was informed that fuel supply valves in the Hunterston A diesel generator system had been found in a closed position. No release of radioactivity had occurred and there was no immediate danger to the public or staff. However, in view of the alleged breach of a key operating rule requiring that sufficient diesel generating plant be kept ready for use in an emergency the South of Scotland electricity board was prosecuted and a fine of £1,500 was subsequently imposed by the Kilmarnock sheriff court on 6 February 1989.
The open way in which the South of Scotland electricity board reported the incident to the nuclear installations inspectorate and the thoroughness of the investigations carried out by both parties are indicative of the determination of both the Government and the South of Scotland electricity board to maintain stringent nuclear safety standards. I am confident that the operators and the nuclear installations inspectorate take very seriously their responsibility in this regard, and that they will continue to do so after privatisation of the electricity industry.