§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what data he has collated on the risks in respect of nuclear reactors in the former Soviet Union. [40903]
§ Mrs. BeckettI have been asked to reply.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has published a series of technical documents on the Soviet-designed WER and RBMK (Chernobyl types) reactor types. A major European Union-financed report on the safety of the RBMK reactors has also been completed. These identify and prioritise the main safety issues which need to be addressed. These documents are being used by the countries concerned and international donors, to help shape safety upgrading programmes. The UK continues to work with our G7 and European Union partners to improve nuclear safety in the countries concerned and to encourage them to develop viable energy sector strategies that enable alternative generating capacity to be brought on line, allowing the older, less safe, reactors to close.