Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what contribution the United Kingdom has made to the International Atomic Energy Agency's assessment of safety significant events team programme; and what benefits he expects to accrue to safety of nuclear facilities in the United Kingdom from ASSET.
§ Mr. BaldryThe United Kingdom endorses the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) "Assessment of Safety-Significant Events Team" (ASSET) service, and recognises the contribution which it makes to the improvement of operational safety worldwide by assisting nuclear operators to achieve the safe operation of installations. However, given the expertise of the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate, we see no current need to request the services of ASSET in order to ensure a safe operating regime at the United Kingdom's civil nuclear installations.