§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when his Department was first informed of the crack in the reactor at Chapelcross Magnox station; [23397]
440W(2) to what extend the age of the nuclear reactor at Chapelcross was a contributory factor to the crack which was publicised by BNFL in December. [23399]
§ Mr. WilsonThe existence of a defect in a weld in a heat exchanger in reactor two at Chapelcross was detected during the reactor's annual refuelling, maintenance and inspection shutdown. It was reported to the Scottish Office on 26 June 1997.
In accordance with normal procedures, details of the weld defect were contained in the Chapelcross newsletters, dated 3 July and 11 December 1997, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Details were also contained in the Health and Safety Executive's Quarterly Statements of Incidents at Nuclear Installations, published on 30 September 1997.
I understand that the age of the reactor at Chapelcross was not a factor in the defect which has been in place since the original manufacture of the vessel concerned. The preferred option for repair has been discussed between BNFL and the NII which will involve the isolation of the affected heat exchanger. In the meantime, the NII has given approval for the reactor to operate.
§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the reports by consultants on the various aspects of the competing sites for a Scottish Parliament. [23539]
§ Mr. McLeishThe design feasibility studies for each of the four sites were placed in the Library on 12 January along with a summary of the Comparative Transport and Environmental Assessment.
I have today placed in the Library copies of the full Comparative Transport and Environmental Assessment report and copies of a draft working brief for the design of the Scottish Parliament building.