Written question asked by Bernard Jenkin (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 29 January 2004. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Thursday, 29 January 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, what measures she has taken to protect trains carrying nuclear fuel and spent nuclear fuel through Essex from terrorist attack; what assessment she has made of the vulnerability to terrorist attack of trains travelling through Essex carrying nuclear fuel and spent nuclear fuel.

Answer: Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what measures she has taken to protect trains carrying nuclear fuel and spent nuclear fuel through Essex from terrorist attack; [150523] (2) what assessment she has made of the vulnerability to terrorist attack of trains travelling through Essex carrying nuclear fuel and spent nuclear fuel; [150524] Mr. Timms: The transport of nuclear fuel strictly adheres to the stringent international and national regulations that govern such movements. In the UK security for the transportation of nuclear material is regulated by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS). OCNS is kept fully briefed about terrorist threat intelligence and in turn keeps security arrangements under review at all times. It is not Government policy to disclose details of security measures or nuclear fuel movements, which may be of potential use to terrorists.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 417 c502W;417 c501-2W; 150523;150524
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Freight Essex Nuclear fuels Railways Radioactive materials Terrorism Security Transport Safety
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk