HC Deb 06 November 2001 vol 374 c160W
Paul Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to install anti-aircraft batteries at Sellafield and other nuclear plants; and what discussions she has had with her French counterpart following the French Government's decision to place anti-aircraft missiles around French reprocessing facilities.[10674]

Mr. Wilson

The. UK's civil nuclear sites apply stringent security measures regulated by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS), the security regulator. The security regulator works closely with the Health and Safety Executive, the safety regulator, which provides advice on the safety implications of events, including external hazards such as plane crashes, at nuclear installations. Security and safety precautions at nuclear sites are kept under regular review and the Government are reviewing all precautions in the light of the terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September. It is not Government policy to disclose details of security measures taken at civil nuclear sites. Officials have discussed security issues with their French counter-parts.

Paul Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor), 22 October 2001,Official Report, column 7W, on nuclear security, if the Office for Civil Nuclear Security was asked to make a special assessment of the security provisions for the Sellafield MOX Plant and the transport of MOX fuel to overseas customers following the terrorist events of 11 September.[10673]

Mr. Wilson

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 16 October 2001,Official Report, column 1152W.

Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the personnel who comprise her Department's Office for Civil Nuclear Security, along with the qualifications they have for their roles.[8763]

Mr. Wilson

The DTI's Office for Civil Nuclear Security comprise 34 staff headed by Michael Buckland-Smith, Director of Civil Nuclear Security. Staff have a range of relevant experience including work in the security and intelligence agencies, the armed services and the police. Training and competences required for OCNS—as for all parts of DTI—are kept under continuing review in the light of changing needs.