HC Deb 25 March 1991 vol 188 c600
16. Mr. Butler

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on future prospects for BNFL.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

British Nuclear Fuels plc is a profitable and experienced supplier of nuclear fuel cycle services both at home and abroad. The company has a strong order book including business worth some £6,000 million for the first 10 years of operation of its thermal oxide reprocessing plant.

Mr. Butler

Are not BNFL's exports to countries such as Germany a sound indicator of a secure future for the company?

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

My hon. Friend is quite right. It is to the great credit of BNFL that it has not only secured the first 10 years of operation of that plant, but is on its way to securing the profitability of its second decade.

Mr. Dalyell

Is the Minister aware that my reply to the Daily Star questionnaire on the future of Sellafield was too ribald, rude and vulgar to be repeated in Parliament? What did the Government say to the Daily Star?

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

On the information that I have, I believe that the Daily Star article was seriously misleading. I can well believe that the hon. Gentleman's reply was robust as he has been a staunch supporter of the responsible use of civil nuclear power in the past and doubtless will be in the future.