§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
After the closure of the two reactors in April 1999, what advice they have received from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and the Environment Agency with regard to the long-term future of Hinkley "A" Nuclear Power Station. [HL1427]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe Government have been briefed on a number of occasions in relation to the circumstances surrounding the shut-down of reactors of Hinkley Point "A" in April and December 1999. As long as Hinkley Point "A" continues to meet essential safety and environmental standards, its future operation is a matter for the operator. However, the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate will not allow either reactor to start up unless it is satisfied that an adequate safety case has been provided by Magnox Electric, the licensee of the site.
§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the stockpiles of intermediate level waste and splitter fin residues accumulating at Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station are stored according to safety guidelines. [HL1428]
207WA
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleYes. In 1999, the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate published its review of intermediate level radioactive waste (ILW) storage in the UK. This review concluded that there were no immediate safety problems for the storage of ILW at Hinkley Point "A" power station.