HC Deb 03 July 2002 vol 388 cc386-7W
Mr. Weir

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions he has had on emergency planning with local authorities along the route from Dounreay to Drigg regarding the dangers posed by moving nuclear waste by road. 165112]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

Specific requirements concerning emergency planning are contained in The Radioactive Material (Road Transport) Regulations 2002. These place duties on consignors and carriers to have appropriate emergency procedures in place. The nuclear operators have in place an emergency response scheme, RADSAFE, which is regularly exercised in co-operation with the emergency services and local authorities.

Mr. Weir

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the implication of moving nuclear waste from Dounreay to Drigg by(a) road and (b) rail. [65110]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

Such transport would be subject to stringent safety requirements, based upon the international "Atomic Energy Agency's Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material" as required by (a) The Radioactive Material (Road Transport) Regulations 2002 and (b) The Packaging, Labelling and Carriage of Radioactive Material by Rail Regulations 1996.

Mr. Weir

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions he has had on emergency planning with the Scottish Executive regarding the dangers posed by moving nuclear waste by(a) road and (b) rail from Dounreay to Drigg. [65111]

Mr. Jamieson

I have been asked to reply.

Specific requirements concerning emergency planning are contained in (a) The Radioactive Material (Road Transport) Regulations 2002 and (b) The Packaging, Labelling and Carriage of Radioactive Material by Rail Regulations 1996. These place duties on (a) consignors and carriers and (b) train operators, facility owners and rail infrastructure controllers, to have appropriate emergency procedures in place. The nuclear operators have in place an emergency response scheme, RADSAFE, which is regularly exercised in co-operation with the emergency services and local authorities.