Nuclear Safeguards Bill (Second sitting)

Debate between Alan Whitehead and Preet Kaur Gill

Committee Debate: 2nd sitting: House of Commons
Tuesday 31st October 2017 Public Bill Committees

[Dr Whitehead]

Q From the point of view of EDF’s operations across the world, what is your view on whether, and in what form, association with Euratom might be a reasonable proposition for the future, and on whether the associations already in existence might fit the bill as possible models for UK association with Euratom?

Angela Hepworth: In terms of a future relationship, EDF Energy has been clear from the outset that far and away the best outcome for the UK nuclear industry would be to remain in Euratom. That remains, we think, the right answer for the UK nuclear industry. Assuming that that is not possible and that we have to look at a future agreement, the models of association agreements in place now are limited to engagement in research and development programmes. That is valuable, but it does not address the key issue that we are concerned about, which is the movement of nuclear materials. What we are most concerned about in all of this is our ability to move nuclear fuel, nuclear components, information and services. The current framework of association agreements would not meet that need. If that were going to solve the key issues, we would need to think of some different model of association.

[Preet Kaur Gill (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab/Co-op)]

Q You say under “Issues to be addressed”:

“The UK Safeguards Bill says little about what a new regime will look like.”

You also say that if there were any changes or amendments to regulation,

“Neither EDF nor the wider UK nuclear industry are…included as statutory consultees”.

Do you think that the current consultees include the wider sector, or are they quite limited?

Angela Hepworth: As I understand it, the Bill says that the ONR and such other people as are deemed appropriate must be consulted. We would welcome consultation with the broader nuclear industry.