Plutonium

HC Deb 19 October 1981 vol 10 cc80-1W

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the economic cost of stockpiling plutonium for civil power generation.

Mr. John Moore:

The cost of storing plutonium for civil power generation is a negligible component (less than 1 per cent.) of the total cost of reprocessing irradiated fuel.

Mr. Mudd

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what exports of plutonium to the United States have recently been authorised, and for what purpose; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Moore:

Approval in principle has been given to the export of United Kingdom civil plutonium to the United States for civil use in its fast reactor programme. Preliminary discussions only have been held with United States Government officials on this subject. It has been made clear in these discussions that any civil plutonium exported would have to remain subject to IAEA safeguards when exported to the United States. The export would be subject to satisfactory commercial negotiations on price, quantities and time scales. These negotiations have not yet commenced.