§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) of 9 July 1998,Official Report, column 631, when he expects the transport of spent fuel from Germany to Sellafield will resume. [54419]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI have been asked to reply.
My Department has responsibilities for the safe transport of radioactive materials. My German counterpart with these responsibilities announced, on 25 May, a ten point plan which, when fully implemented, would allow shipments to resume. At present I am unaware of any established timetable for this implementation. My officials are in contact with their German counterparts and will give any help possible to enable them to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion. I must emphasise that the resumption of shipments of spent fuel within Germany is a matter for the German Authorities.