HL Deb 14 December 1994 vol 559 cc121-2WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is now the safety situation of the four reactors at Chernobyl; how many reactors of similar design are still operating in the former Soviet Union and elsewhere and what is their safety condition.

Earl Ferrers

Of the four reactors at Chernobyl, only two are currently operational. Unit four was destroyed in the accident on 26 April 1986 and unit two was closed as a result of a fire in October 1991. In the light of international concerns over the safety situation at the remaining units, G7 Heads of Government proposed an action plan at the Naples Summit to secure their early closure, within the framework of an energy strategy for Ukraine. This plan has been formally accepted by the Ukrainian Government and detailed implementation is now under discussion.

There are thirteen other reactors of similar design currently operational in the former Soviet Union, eleven in Russia and two in Lithuania. The safety of all these reactors is the responsibility of the relevant national authorities and only they would be able to provide full details of the current status of each plant. There are no Chernobyl type reactors outside the former Soviet Union.