HC Deb 20 November 2002 vol 394 cc181-2W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many movements there were in each year since 1985 of (a) high-level and (b) intermediate-level radioactive material, (i) by train, (ii) by road, (iii) by air and (iv) by ship. [80859]

Mr. Jamieson

This Department does not hold statistical information of the type requested.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is permissible to transport(a) high-level and (b) intermediate-level radioactive material, (i) on passenger ferries and (ii) through the channel tunnel. [80860]

Mr. Jamieson

The transport of radioactive material on passenger ferries is permissible subject to the safety requirements and restrictions of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, Amendment 30 –00, as required by The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997 SI 1997 No 2367); Merchant Shipping Notice No. M 1755(M), "The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants in Packaged Form —Amendment 30–00 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (MDG) Code" and, where applicable, The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel etc.) (INF Code) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No 3216).

Transport through the channel tunnel of radioactive material in/as Excepted Packages, solid non-combustible Low Specific Activity Material, solid non-combustible Surface Contaminated Objects and Type A Packages complying with RID 1/ADR2 is permissible only as authorised through Eurotunnel Freight by prior agreement between the manufacturer/producer and Eurotunnel. Radioactive material other than that in/as Excepted Packages is further restricted to new manufactured goods in their original packaging. In all cases material requiring two or more danger labels is not authorised. 1 Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) Appendix B. Uniform Rules concerning the Contract for International Carriage of Goods by Rail (CIM) ANNEX 1 Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) 2001 Edition. 2 European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) 2001 Edition.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents there have been, in each year since 1972, involving the transportation of radioactive material(a) by air, (b) by road, (c) by rail and (d) by ship. [80862]

Mr. Jamieson

Since 1989 information on accidents and incidents involving the transport of radioactive material in the UK has been published annually. The reports covering events in each year have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Data on events prior to 1989 can be found in the following reports:

1. Review of the Radiological Consequences Resulting from Accidents and Incidents Involving the Transport of Radioactive Materials in the UK from 1964 to 1988 (NRPB-M206)

2. Accidents and Incidents involving the Transport of Radioactive Materials in the UK, from 1958 to 1994, and their Radiological Consequences. (NRPB-R282)

These two reports are also available in the Libraries of the House.