DOUNREAY SAFETY PRACTICE

Early day motion 1500, tabled 1 July 1998 by Frank Cook (Labour). Signed by 14 members.

That this House is dismayed that the Health and Safety Executive should have withheld from publication a damning report on the reprehensible state of safety measures at the Dounreay Nuclear complex; is angry that this withholding of information should be justified on 'legal reasons because of fears it might lead to cancellations of commercial contracts'; notes with incredulity that the report states that 'the hazard of criticality is not being afforded the respect it deserves'; finds most disturbing that appointed health and safety watchdogs should be prepared to prefer potential profits to public protection; and calls urgently on the Secretary of State to require forthwith from the Director General of the Health and Safety Executive, Jenny Bacon, a full explanation of the rationale for withholding information so crucial to the structure and practice of public health protection procedures.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.