Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, which recommendations of the report by HM Chief Nuclear Inspector on the implications for the UK nuclear industry of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami have not yet been acted upon; and what the reasons are for not having acted on each such recommendation.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is responsible for monitoring the implementation of recommendations in the HM Chief Nuclear Inspector’s Report on implications from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. An extensive programme of improvements has been undertaken by operators, the ONR and UK Government in response to each of those recommendations. The latest progress update can be found on the ONR website (http://www.onr.org.uk/documents/2014/onr-fukushima-update.pdf). ONR is currently compiling a further progress update and they expect to publish it later this year.

The UK has one of the most robust regulatory and safety regimes in the world, and the sector operates on the principle of continuous improvement.