Sellafield (Hansard, 25 July 1997)

§ Mr. Baker
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors are being taken into account by the Environment Agency in deciding whether to authorise the establishment of a mixed oxide plant at Sellafield. [10694]

§ Angela Eagle
The Environment Agency is considering British Nuclear Fuels' application for commissioning and operation of the Sellafield mixed oxide plant. It will take into account issues relevant to justification, risks to the public and environment, national policy on radioactive waste management and the UK's international obligations.

§ Mr. Baker
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of extra(a) flights, (b) movements by sea and (c) movements by road of radioactive material which would result from the opening of a mixed oxide plant at Sellafield. [10689]

§ Ms Glenda Jackson
The production and transportation of mixed oxide—MOX—fuel at Sellafield are matters for the site's operators, BNFL.
(a) I refer the hon. Member to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Dawson), Official Report, 21 July, column 420.
(b) and (c) I understand from the company that MOX fuel has been produced and shipped from the Sellafield site since the 1960s. The new Sellafield MOX plant—SMP—is expected to produce its first fuel towards the end of 1998. In common with previous shipments, transport of finished MOX assemblies from the SMP will be by road and/or rail for onward shipment by air or sea as appropriate. However, delivery direct to the customer by road and/or rail is not precluded.
The number of movements associated with the dispatch of finished fuel assemblies will result in only a marginal increase in the existing number of commercial movements from Sellafield.
The packages used for these movements, by road, rail, sea or air, are approved and certificated for use within the United Kingdom by this Department, and must be transported in accordance with UK statutory safety requirements.