To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to improve co-ordination between the nuclear installations inspectorate and the French civil nuclear safety authorities.

The Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate has frequent contact on topics of mutal interest with its French counterpart, the Service Central de Surete des Installations Nucleaires, under a formal exchange of information arrangement. This co-operation is currently being enhanced by the formation of two new working groups to discuss safety standards, and advanced computer protection systems.