§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement about the proposal to site a European fast reactor demonstration reprocessing plant at Dounreay.
§ Mr. GoodladI understand that the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and British Nuclear Fuels plc intend shortly to make a joint planning application to the Highland regional council to build a fast reactor demonstration reprocessing plant at Dounreay to serve the needs of the European collaboration.
The chairman of the UKAEA has requested a statement of the Government's general policies on the United Kingdom's participation in the European fast reactor collaboration and on the regulatory procedures which would apply to any such reprocessing plant which might be built in the United Kingdom. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to him and copies of the letter have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
The Government see advantage both to the nation and to the European collaboration in siting the reprocessing plant in the United Kingdom. Such siting would, of course, be subject to the agreement of our European partners and to the necessary planning, safety and environmental consents being granted.