§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if the international development of the fast breeder reactor would obviate much of the plutonium and americium now being discharged into the sea by Sellafield and other nuclear establishments; and if he will initiate further international discussion as to the commercial development of fast breeder design.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe levels of discharges from the sites are established by the relevant authorising Departments taking into account the health and environmental considerations and the nature of the existing nuclear generating and reprocessing plants. It would be premature to specify at this stage what discharges would be authorised following the international development of the fast reactor. My right hon. Friend announced on 5 September that the Government had decided to open formal negotiations to seek agreement on the joint development of fast reactors with other European countries; these discussions are still in progress.