Atomic Energy Bill (second reading)

The Bill contains a number of unrelated proposals. The first would increase the financial limit imposed on British Nuclear Fuels plc by Acts of Parliament to Pound 2,000 million in line with current investment plans. The second would enable the Health and Safety Executive to recover the costs of nuclear safety research which it sponsors, from nuclear site licensees and applicants for licences. The next two proposals make minor technical amendments to the rules on insurance cover for meeting third party compensation claims in the event of nuclear incidents. Finally, the Bill would enable the United Kingdom to ratify the International Convention on Assistance in the case of nuclear accident or radiological emergency (mutual assistance convention). The Bill was debated for half an hour and is reported verbatim. In particular the financing of the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant at BNFL's Sellafield site was discussed. Questions on vitrification of radioactive wastes were raised. (U.K.)