Draft Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste and spent fuel (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 Debate

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Department: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Tuesday 22nd January 2019

(5 years, 11 months ago)

General Committees
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Douglas Chapman Portrait Douglas Chapman (Dunfermline and West Fife) (SNP)
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I thank the Minister for outlining the draft regulations so well, but we are concerned that we are breaking our link with Euratom. Some things in the EU seem to work very well, and that competence and collaboration will be sadly missed—but so be it.

Let me pose a few questions about the position in Scotland. Will the radioactive waste management policy currently under the auspices of the Scottish Government remain intact? Will the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament retain their current devolved competences? Will the draft regulations have effect from day one? I think that will be 1 April—probably timely for some people, given that it is April Fool’s day. Again, we need to deal with that.

Is the Minister in a position to outline future plans, beyond Euratom, to ensure the safe transfer of radioactive materials and technologies? That will affect all parts of the UK, including services such as the NHS. Will those plans be subject to meaningful negotiations and consultation with the Scottish Government and other devolved Administrations?