Written question asked by Joan Walley (Labour) on Thursday, 14 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 October 1999. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Thursday, 21 October 1999 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement in respect of the international safety implications arising from the plutonium shipment involving the Pacific Teal and the Pacific Pintail.

Answer: Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement in respect of the international safety implications arising from the plutonium shipment involving the Pacific Teal and the Pacific Pintail. [94716] Mr. Hain: The shipment of MOX fuel to Japan was undertaken in full conformity with well established international non-proliferation safeguard procedures and physical protection regimes. In terms of the measures taken to minimise the risk of radiological accidents all shipments by sea are undertaken in full compliance with all the relevant international standards, regulations and recommendations relating to the transport by sea of hazardous cargoes and nuclear materials. The ships and containers used for this shipment met, and in certain cases exceeded, these requirements.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 94716; 336 c631W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Japan Radioactive waste Nuclear fuel reprocessing Radioactive materials Transport Safety Shipping Plutonium Mixed oxide fuel MV Pacific Pintail MV Pacific Teal