I thank the President-in-Office for her reply which I would like to take some time to study and perhaps come back to you on at some later date. I was interested in what you said about supervision and control of shipments.

The Council is no doubt aware of the growing concern which has been expressed over the proposed shipment of high level radioactive waste from France to Japan early next year. Particular concern has been expressed in the Channel Islands because this shipment will pass very close to them. Is the President-in-Office saying, therefore, with her reference to the Commission's responsibility, that the Commission would be responsible after consultation with the appropriate authorities in the Channel Islands for drawing up whatever plans should be necessary to cater for any accident or emergency involving this shipment, and would the Commission therefore be responsible for an environmental impact assessment of this proposed shipment?