Written question asked by David Chaytor (Labour) on Thursday, 15 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 February 2004. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Monday, 2 February 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the Answer of 16th December 2003, 415 c814W, on the fusion research reactor, what assessment was made of the proximity of the Cadarache site to an earthquake fault when the United Kingdom gave its backing to the site. - (Holding answer 29 January 2004).

Answer: Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2003, Official Report, column 814W, on the fusion research reactor, what assessment was made of the proximity of the Cadarache site to an earthquake fault when the United Kingdom gave its backing to the site. [149094] Ms Hewitt: [holding answer 29 January 2004]: In making its decision the UK considered the results of two assessments of the ITER candidate sites, the Joint Assessment of Specific Sites (JASS) in January 2003, and the European ITER Site Study Group (EISSG) in May 2003. Both concluded that Cadarache could meet the requirements for ITER. Safety regulations for the construction of new nuclear facilities in France to meet the risk of earthquakes are very strict. Earthquakes are more frequent and stronger in the vicinity of the Japanese candidate site, Rokkasho.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 417 c644W; 149094
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: International cooperation France Location Research Nuclear reactors
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk