HC Deb 11 November 1996 vol 285 cc11-2W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information British Nuclear Fuels is required to provide to his Department with regard to the environmental safety arrangements made prior to and during the transport of high-level radioactive waste canisters from Sellafield to(a) Japan and (b) European Union countries; and what is the planned date of the next transport to (i) Japan and (ii) another EU member state. [2960]

Mr. Page

The transport of vitrified waste complies with all relevant national and international regulations governing its movement. The flasks are specifically designed, constructed and transported in accordance with the recommendations and regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The date of the next transport is an operational matter for BNFL.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what environmental provisions covering plutonium-based mixed oxide nuclear fuel and associated wastes will be included in the proposed Euratom-Japan nuclear co-operation agreement. [2957]

Mr. Page

The scope of the proposed Euratom-Japan nuclear co-operation agreement has yet to be worked out between the two parties. Any eventual agreement will be negotiated by the European Commission on behalf of the European Community, after negotiating directives have been agreed by the Council.