Radioactive Waste

HC Deb 20 July 1993 vol 229 cc104-5W

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those sites where(a) BNFL, (b) Nuclear Electric, (c) Scottish Nuclear or (d) others have applied for planning permission for, or had any form of initial discussions with, his Department as to the construction of a dry store capable of taking spent AGR fuel.

Mr. Eggar

I have been asked to reply.

My Department has had no such applications or discussions. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has received an application from Scottish Nuclear Ltd. in respect of a proposed dry store at Torness power station. My right hon. Friend has not yet received the report following the public inquiry into this application.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration Her Majesty's Government have given to the dry storage of spent AGR fuel as waste as an alternative to reprocessing.

Mr. Eggar

I have been asked to reply.

Management options for dealing with spent fuel are commercial matters for the owners of the fuel.

Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration is given, in deciding whether to allow imports of spent nuclear fuel for the thermal oxide reprocessing plant, to the possible effect of the build-up of such stocks on the outcome of the further consultation process and eventual adjudication on revised draft authorisations for the Sellafield site; if he will now make it his policy to allow no further imports until a final decision is made; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

I have been asked to reply.

I am advised by British Nuclear Fuels plc that, under its contracts with overseas customers, some 70 per cent. of the overseas spent fuel due to be reprocessed in the first ten years of operating its thermal oxide reprocessing plant has already been delivered to Sellafield. In accordance with scheduled deliveries, this proportion is not expected to change materially in the next few months. It would be inappropriate to take an initiative of the kind proposed by the hon. Member.