§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with his French energy counterpart on the Millennium-readiness of French nuclear power stations and on contingency plans and other related safety issues; and if he will make a statement. [72155]
§ Mr. BattleNuclear safety regulators regularly discuss Year 2000 issues both at international meetings and at bi-lateral meetings. A recent example was the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency's workshop on "The impact of year 2000 on the Nuclear Industry", in Ottawa on 8–10 February 1999. All nuclear safety regulators present there, including the French Nuclear Safety Authority—Direction de la surete des installations nucleaires (DSIN)—gave reports on the readiness of their nuclear sector on millennium issues.
The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate in the British Health and Safety Executive is satisfied that the French Authorities are taking seriously Year 2000 issues and are dealing with them in an appropriate and effective manner.