HC Deb 25 May 2004 vol 421 cc1565-6W
Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is for retaining a skill base for the nuclear industry in the UK. [174809]

Mr. Timms

To fulfil the Government's policy commitment to develop and implement a nuclear work force development strategy the Department has been closely involved with the formation of a Sector Skills Council to represent the needs of the nuclear industry. Cogent Sector Skills Council was launched on 2 March, covering nuclear, chemical manufacturing and oil and gas industries. Cogent will take a strategic view of the nuclear sector to ensure that the education and training base can meet the nuclear employers current and future needs.

Patrick Mercer

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many instances of theft of(a) nuclear waste and (b) spent fuel rods from nuclear plants in the UK were reported to the police in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002 and (iii) 2003. [174611]

Mr. Timms

There were no reported thefts of nuclear waste or spent fuel rods from civil nuclear sites in the years specified.

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