§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what regulations exist covering the rail transport of mixed oxide plutonium-based nuclear fuel through the Channel Tunnel; and what safety and emergency planning exercises have been conducted in respect of accidents involving trains carrying radioactive material through the tunnel. [18520]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe rules of Eurotunnel do not permit mixed oxide nuclear fuel to be transported through the Channel Tunnel.
Transporters of radioactive material within the United Kingdom must have contingency plans in place to respond to accidents. The United Kingdom Nuclear Industry 281W Road/Rail Emergency Plan (NIREP) has been established to enable an immediate response from the nearest participating organisation to a transport incident involving radioactive material: the plan is exercised annually. Eurotunnel also holds annual exercises to test its emergency procedures which would apply in the event of any incident in the Channel Tunnel. Eurotunnel's express permission must be sought before any shipment of radioactive material is transported via the Channel Tunnel and it may obtain advice/assistance via NIREP should radioactive material be present on a train involved in an accident.
§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what amendments the United Kingdom proposed to the draft code covering the safe carriage of nuclear materials on board ships, as adopted by the International Maritime Organisation; and what mechanisms his Department has in place to monitor the application of the code to the sea transport of nuclear materials to and from the United Kingdom. [18405]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Code for the Safe Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Flasks on board Ships (INF Code) was adopted by the Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation in 1993. The Assembly adopted amendments to the Code last month. The United Kingdom participated fully in the negotiations leading to the adoption both of the original Code and these amendments. While compliance with the INF Code is currently voluntary, UK registered ships engaged in the trade have documents of compliance issued by my Department's Marine Safety Agency. UK companies involved in transporting materials covered by the INF Code use ships complying with the Code. The UK is currently participating in work to make compliance with the Code mandatory. This will enhance our enforcement powers.
§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contribution his Department made to the preparation of the International Atomic Energy Agency Safety Series Number 6 (SS6) Regulations on the transport of radioactive materials; and what review he has undertaken of the application of the regulations to the air transport of mixed oxide fuel. [18406]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonOfficials from my Department participated fully in the meetings of the International Atomic Energy Agency during the development of Safety Series Number 6, Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 1985 Edition (As Amended 1990). These multi-modal recommendations provide the basis for the mandatory requirements for air transport as incorporated into the current edition of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The Department similarly supported the IAEA's continuous review and revision procedures leading to the latest edition of "Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material 1996 Edition", now known as Safety Standards Series No. ST-1. The transport of radioactive material in large quantity by air, including that of mixed oxide fuel, was considered in great depth and detail during the development of ST-1. The UK will continue to282W contribute to future regulatory developments through both the IAEA and the International Civil Aviation Organisation.