To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether the transportation of all nuclear material, whether for civil or military purposes, is covered by EC directive 89/618; and what guidance is to be given to the emergency services and the general public about such transport consequent upon the directive.
The European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) treaty is concerned only with the peaceful application of nuclear materials. Thus European Council directive 89/618/EURATOM is not applicable to the military use of nuclear materials. Transport of civil nuclear material is covered by article 2 of the directive. The Health and Safety Commission consultative document (CD37) setting out proposals for new regulations to implement this directive outlines the intention to publish Health and Safety Executive guidance. A copy of the consultation document is in the Library.
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he has taken or proposes to take to implement European Community directive 89/618.
The Health and Safety Commission's public consultation on proposals to implement EC directive 89/618 EURATOM ended on 28 February 1992. New legislation will be brought forward as soon as comments have been considered by the Health and Safety Commission and proposals scrutinised by the European Commission under the procedure set down in article 33 of the EURATOM treaty.