The Atomic Energy Act 1989 (1989 chapter 7) is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom. The act amended the financial limits of British Nuclear Fuels plc; the expenses of the Health and Safety Executive; the compensation available from public funds; and the provisions for mutual assistance in the event of a nuclear accident or emergency.
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| Long title | An Act to alter the financial limit imposed by section 2(1) of the Nuclear Industry (Finance) Act 1977 in relation to British Nuclear Fuels plc; to make provision with respect to the recovery of certain expenses by the Health and Safety Executive; to amend sections 18 and 19 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965; to make provision in connection with the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency; and for connected purposesAn Act to alter the financial limit imposed by section 2(1) of the Nuclear Industry (Finance) Act 1977 in relation to British Nuclear Fuels plc; to make provision with respect to the recovery of certain expenses by the Health and Safety Executive; to amend sections 18 and 19 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965; to make provision in connection with the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency; and for connected purposes |
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| Introduced by | Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy (Mr. Michael Spicer) House of Commons 22 May 1989 Third Reading (Commons) |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 25 May 1989 |
Status: Amended | |
Rationale
editThe act raised the financial limit of British Nuclear Fuels plc from £1.5 billion to £2 billion.[1] This allowed BNF plc to progress its investment in the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP). This facility had over £4 billion of advance contracts in 1989. An investment of £500 million was required to reduce radioactive discharges to virtually zero.[1]
The act enabled the Health and Safety Executive to recover the costs associated with issuing nuclear licenses.[1] The act amended legislation and allowed the UK to ratify the convention on assistance in the case of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency.[1]
Provisions
editLong title: An Act to alter the financial limit imposed by section 2(1) of the Nuclear Industry (Finance) Act 1977 in relation to British Nuclear Fuels plc; to make provision with respect to the recovery of certain expenses by the Health and Safety Executive; to amend sections 18 and 19 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965; to make provision in connection with the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency; and for connected purposes.##2
The act received royal assent on 25 May 1989.[2]
The act comprised seven sections and a schedule.[2]
Financial limit of British Nuclear Fuels plc
- Section 1. Financial limit of British Nuclear Fuels plc.
Recovery of expenses by Health and Safety Executive
- Section 2. Recovery of expenses by Health and Safety Executive.
Amendment of sections 18 and 19 of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965
- Section 3. Nuclear installations: cover for compensation.
- Section 4. Effect of grant of new nuclear site licence to existing licensee.
Mutual Assistance Convention
- Section 5. Mutual Assistance Convention.
Supplementary
- Section 6. Consequential amendments and repeals.
- Section 7. Short title, commencement and extent.
Schedule. Provisions of Article 8 of the Mutual Assistance Convention having the force of law in the United Kingdom
See also
editAtomic Energy Research Establishment
References
edit- ^ a b c d "House of Commons 22 May 1989 Third Reading". Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ a b "The Atomic Energy Act 1989" (PDF). Retrieved 13 August 2024.