§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the approval process for the shipment and the transport package for the MOX fuel due to be returned from Japan to Sellafield, and the nuclear safety case associated therewith, has taken account of(a) reasonably foreseeable actions from malicious intent that could arise in United Kingdom territorial waters and during docking, handling and onward transport from Barrow to Sellafield, (b) how such actions have been incorporated in the nuclear safety assessment and licensing process as specific design basis threats, (c) whether the personnel and systems involved in all 636W elements of the transportation and transfer from one mode of transport to another have been tested and trialled against a simulation of the appropriate design basis threat and (d) how each element has been assessed in terms of the personnel and systems deployed being shown to be adequate to maintain the MOX fuel in a safe state. [56103]
§ Mr. Wilson[holding answer 22 May 2002]The transport of MOX fuel at all stages is subject to the most stringent regulation. The Government's security advisers have assessed the potential threats posed to this shipment and are satisfied that the thorough precautions taken to prevent theft or sabotage are adequate and make the security risks associated with the shipment negligible. The precautions taken are designed to cope with all credible threats and comply with all relevant international obligations and recommendations on the physical protection of nuclear material and ensure that the security risks associated with this shipment are negligible. The shipment is accompanied by armed police officers from the United Kingdoms Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary who are trained to deal with any threats to the transportation.