§ Lord Reaasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hayman of 10 December (WA 29-30), whether they are satisfied that the regulations covering the transport of radioactive material by road are being properly observed; what methods are used to ensure that the requirements of those regulations are adequately fulfilled; on how many occasions breaches of the regulations have occurred; and whether they will specify these breaches. [HL381]
§ Baroness HaymanThe Government are satisfied that the Radioactive Material (Road Transport) (Great Britain) Regulations 1996 are properly observed. DETR staff ensure that the requirements are adequately fulfilled by carrying out technical assessment and approval of package designs against established international standards, audits of industry's quality assurance programmes, inspections during transport operations, including inspection visits to premises where radioactive material is received or dispatched, and investigation and enforcement action related to incidents.
The department, together with the Health and Safety Executive, commissions annual reports of the radiological consequences arising from accidents and incidents involving the transport of radioactive material, which include details of alleged breaches of the Road Transport Regulations. Copies of these reports are placed in the Library. The latest such report, Radiological Consequences resulting from Accidents and Incidents involving the Transport of Radioactive Materials in the UK—1996 Review, by J. S. Hughes and K. B. Shaw. National Radiological Protection Board report NRPB-M862, gives details for calendar year 1996. None of the events reported led to any significant radiological consequences. There were no prosecutions under the regulations, though enforcement action was considered and advice offered.