HC Deb 10 June 1998 vol 313 cc577-8W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many crashes occurred involving(a) road vehicles, (b) aircraft and (c) trains carrying radioactive material in the United Kingdom in 1997 and 1998 to date. [44986]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The numbers of such crashes notified to the Department are:

Year Number
(a)
1997 3
1998 none to date
(b)
1997 none
1998 none to date
(c)
1997 none
1998 3 to date

In none of these crashes was there any loss of radioactive material from any package.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is the Government's policy not to limit the number of movements of radioactive material by air provided International Atomic Energy Agency standards are met. [44959]

Ms Glenda Jackson

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 14 July 1997,Official Report, column 15.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what procedures are currently in place to ensure the safe transportation of mixed oxide plutonium within the United Kingdom. [44724]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Mixed Oxide Fuel and plutonium, in common with all radioactive materials, are subject to the following regulations:

Road The Radioactive Material (Road Transport) (Great Britain) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No. 1350). The Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1983 (SR 1983 No. 344). The Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986 (SR 1986 No. 61).

Sea The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990 No. 2605); Merchant Shipping Notice No. M 1620, "The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants in Packaged Form on Ships".

Air The Air Navigation (No. 2) Order 1995 SI No. 1970. The Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1994 SI No. 3187 and Amendment 1996 SI No. 3100.

Ports The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 (SI 1987 No. 37).

Rail The Packaging, Labelling and Carriage of Radioactive Material by Rail Regulations (RAMRail) 1996 (SI 1996 No. 2090): Approved Requirements for the packaging, labelling and carriage of radioactive material by rail 1996 Edition. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations (CDGCPL) 1996 (SI 1996 No. 2092).

Inland Waterways British Waterways Board Terms and Conditions: Dangerous Goods BWB 1981, and Schedule of Dangerous Goods ("The Green Book") BWB 1981 (Class 7).