§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many movements of radioactive material there were in the United Kingdom in each of the years from 1980–1989; and for each year what percentage of movements were by road, what percentage by rail, and what percentage by air, respectively.
§ Mr. AtkinsMy Department does not collect this information.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is setting up a database and it may be possible to provide information on the mode of transport in future years.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to prohibit the overnight parking in urban areas of vehicles and trains carrying flasks containing radioactive material; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) (Great Britain) Regulations do not permit the overnight parking of road vehicles carrying loaded irradiated fuel flasks in any area to which the general public has access. Flasks carried by rail which need to be kept overnight for operational reasons are held in the security of BR Board's private premises. It would not be practicable to make the distinction in these arrangements between urban and non-urban areas.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy for local authorities with responsibility for emergency planning to be notified in advance of the movement of high-level radioactive material through their areas.
§ Mr. AtkinsContingency plans exist to provide a rapid radiological response to any incident involving radioactive materials in transit. Guidance has been provided by the Home Office to local authority emergency services. Prior notification would not contribute further to transport safety.