§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the President of the United States of America regarding(a) nuclear waste, (b) the nuclear reprocessing plant at Dounreay and (c) nuclear fuel at Tbilisi, Georgia; what advice he has sought regarding the environmental impact of importing radioactive materials into Scotland; what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland regarding the transfer of radioactive material from Georgia to Dounreay; and if he will make a statement. [39917]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 27 April 1998]: The United Kingdom is playing its part in ensuring non-proliferation of nuclear material, alongside the action of the United States, Russia and other European countries, by taking responsibility for a small quantity of nuclear material from a research site which was at risk in Georgia. This decision was taken in the normal way in consultation with Cabinet colleagues.
The relevant authorities which have responsibility for the proper handling of nuclear materials within this country, including the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, were consulted before the transfer was made, and accepted the Government's decision.