§ Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the duration and cost, including any loss of revenue on electricity not sent out, of the delays on the small fast reactor and the commercial fast reactor at Dounreay.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI have been asked to reply.
Since the experimental Dounreay fast reactor (DFR) was commissioned in 1956 the only significant break in operation has been that between mid-1967 and mid-1968 due to a leak in the primary circuit. The cost of repair was £105,000, excluding the wages and salaries of employees who were diverted from other duties. The cost of the loss of electricity production resulting from the shut-down was £135,000.
The cost of the expected delay of 12 months in the construction of the Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR) at Dounreay, resulting from welding difficulties, is estimated at £750,000. The estimated loss of revenue is £1.2 million in 1971–72 and £0.85 million in 1972–73.
No decision to build a commercial fast reactor has yet been taken but preliminary design work has started.