§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) following the rejection by the EEC of further support for the Dragon HTR at Winfrith Heath, Dorset, what he proposes to do with the research facility;
(2) how much British money has been spent on the Winfrith Heath HTR; and what are likely to be the maintenance costs following the relinquishment of EEC support.
§ Mr. BennThe total United Kingdom contribution to the project in financial years 1959–60—1975–76 has been about £;20.7 million. In addition, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has provided services costing £;25.5 million, the whole of which has been recovered as income from the project. Under the terms of the Dragon agreement the facilities revert to the United Kingdom at zero cost. The reactor has been defuelled and work is being undertaken to leave it in a safe condition. Thereafter, short-term maintenance costs are estimated by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at about £;60,000 per annum. Arrangements for more permanent disposal of the reactor, ancilliary plant and buildings are now being considered. The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority expect to use some of these for other reactor research and development including work on SGHWR and the Fast Reactor.