§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the International Atomic Energy Agency Transas Mission to the United Kingdom this year in respect of the transport of nuclear materials. [75454]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe International Atomic Energy Agency carried out a Transport Safety Appraisal Service (TranSAS) to the UK, at our request, during the period 9 to 21 June this year. The appraisal team, consisting of fourteen participants and observers from several countries and international bodies, carried out an examination of the regulatory and enforcement infrastructure in the United Kingdom relating to the transport of radioactive material. The IAEA's Report was published on its web site on 6 September 2002 and may be found at http://www.iaea.org/worldatom/. I will place hard copies in the House Libraries as they become available.
The report's three main recommendations relate to:
the manner in which the UK competent authority documents some of its reviews and assessments;the need to establish a more systematic approach to the review of package designs used to transport smaller quantities of radioactive material; andthe need to enhance inspection and enforcement activities for minor consignors and consignors of mobile sources.The report also contains 21 Suggestions and 15 Citations of Good Practice.
The UK has reviewed the Recommendations and Suggestions and updated procedures as necessary.