Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the concerns expressed by the French nuclear safety authority regarding the safety of the European Pressurised Reactor in France; and what action they are taking based on this assessment, in the light of plans to install such reactors at Hinkley Point.

The UK has a robust regulatory system and any nuclear reactor used in the UK must meet our rigorous safety, security and environmental standards.

Government is aware of the issues in relation to the EPR at Flamanville and we continue to monitor the situation. The planned EPR at Hinkley Point C is subject to the UK regulatory regime. The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is responsible for safety regulation of the UK industry and remains appropriately engaged with the French nuclear regulator with regard to the issue at Flamanville. The ONR has said that they expect learning from the EPR under construction at Flamanville to be taken into account in the manufacture of components intended for the planned new reactor at Hinkley Point C.