Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are(a) the current levels of support and (b) the levels of support, given by his Department each year since 1970, towards research on decommissioning techniques for advanced gas-cooled reactors; and through which organisations research support has been given.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerResearch support from the Department of Energy into decommissioning techniques is channelled through UKAEA R and D programmes. The 433W Department supports generic research into decommissioning techniques of general applicability to nuclear plant. Funding is estimated at £0.71 million in 1987–88, and was £0.60 million in 1986–87 and £0.30 million in 1985–86. This work is not related to specific reactor types. Support for research, development and operational expenditure relating to the demonstration decommissioning of the Windscale advanced gas-cooled reactor in 1987–88 is estimated at £2.4 million, and was £1.9 million in 1986–87 and £3.7 million in 1985–86. Total support for the project to date is estimated at £15 million.
Comparable figures for earlier years are not readily available.