§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about safety at Sizewell power station, Suffolk, in the light of recent flooding.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe incident to which my hon. Friend refers occurred on 3 December when two out of the338W station's four sea water cooling pumps were flooded. Both reactors were shut down normally by station staff and all post shut-down safety functions operated satisfactorily as intended. There were no injuries and there was no release of radioactivity.
The incident has been rated as a level 1 on the international nuclear event scale—the lowest rating.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what representations he has had about both safety and life expectancy of the Sizewell power station, Suffolk, in the past six months; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryMy hon. Friend wrote to me about this recently and I will reply shortly. That apart, I have received one other representation from a constituent of my right hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. MacGregor).
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what discussions he has had about the continued use of Sizewell A power station in Suffolk; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThis is a commercial matter for Nuclear Electric plc, which must of course continue to satisfy the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate that the very high standards of safety required by them are being met.