§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what insurance arrangements cover the clean-up, restoration and personal compensation payments that may arise from an accident at, or involving(a) a commercially operated nuclear power plant, (b) a nuclear fuel cycle manufacturing or processing installation and (c) nuclear materials in transit resulting in the release of radiation; and how the levels of liability have been calculated. [5729]
§ Mr. PageUnder United Kingdom law, where third party damage or injury is caused as a result of a nuclear incident at a nuclear site or involving nuclear materials in transit, the UK operator is liable to pay compensation up to a liability limit of £140 million. The limit, which is kept under review, is in line with the recommendation of the nuclear energy agency of the OECD and takes account of the level of commercial insurance cover available.
As a result of the UK's membership of the Paris and Brussels conventions, further public funds and international funds are available, up to a maximum of 300 special drawing rights of the International Monetary Fund—approximately £280 million. If claims exceed this latter figure, additional compensation may be provided by Parliament to the extent that it shall determine.
In line with the Paris convention, compensation is available for damage to persons and property. This would include the costs of environmental restoration and clean up, where there is damage to property, in accordance with normal UK civil law principles as to the assessment of damage.