HC Deb 12 March 1992 vol 205 cc670-1W
1991. Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what proportion of irradiated fuel flasks imported into the United Kingdom in(a) 1990 and (b) 1991, were monitored on arrival by (i) the radioactive materials transport division of his Department, (ii) the National Radiological Protection Board and (iii) employees of Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd and Nuclear Transport Ltd;

(2) how many consignments of irradiated fuel flasks were imported into the United Kingdom in (a) 1990 and (b)

Mr. McLoughlin

One hundred and eight irradiated fuel flasks containing power reactor fuel were imported into the United Kingdom during 1990 and 92 during 1991. Three flasks of irradiated research reactor fuel were also imported during 1991. All flasks imported into the United Kingdom by Pacific Nuclear Transport Ltd. (PNTL) at Barrow are monitored by staff of PNTL or British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. before trans-shipment to rail. Flasks imported by Nuclear Transport Ltd. from Europe remain on their railwagon under a canopy and are not routinely monitored en-route. All flasks are thoroughly monitored before dispatch and on arrival at the reprocessing site. During 1990 and 1991 respectively, four and two flasks were monitored on arrival by the National Radiological Protection Board on behalf of the radioactive materials transport division.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the report prepared by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority with regard to a contaminated flask containing irradiated research reactor fuel from India which arrived in the United Kingdom on 30 January 1991.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Health and Safety Executive fully reported on this incident in its statement of incidents at nuclear installations for the first quarter of 1991, announced in a news release of 2 July 1991. Release of United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority documents should be for the authority.