To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when an assessment was last made of the environmental implications of a serious leak from Sellafield, including the localities which would be most affected; and if he will publish its findings.

Assessments of the safety of operations at Sellafield, which include assessments of the possible environmental implications of serious leaks, are the responsibility of BNFL in accordance with conditions attached to the nuclear site licence. These assessments are independently examined by the regulatory authorities in the regular discharge of their statutory functions.