HC Deb 06 May 1999 vol 330 cc443-4W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the material recovered from reprocessing of German spent nuclear fuel has a commercial value in the United Kingdom. [82893]

Mr. Battle

[holding answer 5 May 1999]: The uranium and plutonium contained in spent nuclear fuel can be used in the manufacture of fresh fuel and therefore, once separated through reprocessing, have a commercial value. The separated waste recovered from the reprocessed spent fuel has no commercial value. All the materials recovered from reprocessing German spent fuel in the UK remain the property of the German utility concerned and must be returned to Germany.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the prospects for onward sale outside the UK of the material recovered from the processing of German spent nuclear fuel. [82892]

Mr. Battle

[holding answer 5 May 1999]: None. Spent nuclear fuel imported into the UK for reprocessing and the products which are recovered from that fuel (uranium, plutonium and waste) remain, at all times, the property of the overseas customer. It remains the firm policy of the UK Government that these materials be returned to the country of origin.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has held with his German counterpart on the amount of storage space for spent nuclear fuel(a) currently available and (b) under construction in Germany. [82944]

Mr. Battle

[holding answer 5 May 1999]: None. Requirements for spent fuel storage facilities in Germany are a matter for the owners of the spent fuel and the relevant German regulatory authorities.