HC Deb 24 January 1989 vol 145 cc468-9W
Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what permission needs to be sought by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, British Nuclear Fuels Limited or commercial handlers of nuclear materials to transport by air radiotoxic materials such as plutonium or tritium within the United Kingdom, or from the United Kingdom.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The consignors of all radioactive materials by air must satisfy the Department of Transport that the arrangements comply fully with the national and international regulations.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to review the safety of air transportation of dangerous toxic cargoes, including radio isotopes, depleted uranium, radioactive wastes and plutonium.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The transport of radioactive materials by all modes of transport must comply fully with the national and international regulations which are under continuous review by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The IAEA is currently undertaking a special review to decide whether any regulatory changes are needed to cover the particular circumstances of air transport.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, during the next meeting of the Council of European Transport Ministers, he will make it his policy to initiate an EEC review of the hazards of the air, sea, road and rail transport of radiotoxic nuclear materials.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The transport of all radioactive materials must comply with the international regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is a United Nations body. These are under continuous review. All EEC countries are member states of the IAEA, and there is no need for a special EEC review.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to set up a review study of the rail transport of spent nuclear fuel on the north and south London rail network lines, to study the appropriateness of the routeing and the preparedness of emergency plans in the event of an accident involving the significant release of radioactivity.

Mr. Portillo

All movements of spent nuclear fuel must comply with regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The required design of the steel flasks ensure that even in the event of a severe railway accident there would be no significant release of the contents. Long-standing and well-rehearsed emergency arrangements exist to provide a rapid response to any incident involving nuclear materials in transit.