HC Deb 28 July 1976 vol 916 cc261-2W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, if he will list the projects included in the £700 million investment programme announced in theOfficial Report of 14th July 1976, column 168, allocating separate amounts to each project.

Mr. Eadie

British Nuclear Fuel Limited's 10-year investment programme recently agreed by the Government includes the following£245 million—extension and improvement of existing fuel reprocessing facilities for the home nuclear programme. £40 million—development of the process for vitrification of waste. £300 million—the construction of further uranium enrichment capacity within the Anglo/Dutch /German centrifuge project as necessary to meet contractural requirements. £130 million—uranium conversion plant and other revenue raising investment in facilities to support BNFL's Home and Overseas business. All figures are at November 1975 prices.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for energy what has been the saving to the balance of payments through BNFL reprocessing 17,000 tonnes of spent fuel elements to date; and what is the value of reprocessing work so far undertaken for overseas customers.

Mr. Eadie

It is estimated that the value of Magnox fuel reprocessing undertaken to date in the United Kingdom for home customers is at least £200 million.

The revenue from reprocessing work already carried out at Windscale for overseas customers has been about £12 million.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy on what date he approved the reprocessing contract negotiated between BNFL and the Enrichment and Reprocessing Group of Japan, the term of the contracts and the approximate net value to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Eadie

Negotiations with the Japanese utilities are still taking place.

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