§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what studies or research are in train on the problem of decontamination during decommissioning of a nuclear power station.
§ Mr. BennDecontamination of wide varieties of nuclear plant, buildings and equipment has been carried out as part of routine operations for many years. Decommissioning studies by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the generating boards are reviewing the application of existing techniques. The development of new techniques will be undertaken if required. In addition, methods of "fixing" contamination are being considered so as to reduce the need 307W for decontamination which itself produces active effluents requiring disposal. Close liaison is, of course, maintained between the Authority and the boards.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what features of nuclear power plant design have been built in to facilitate the eventual decommissioning of the reactor.
§ Mr. BennDecommissioning is facilitated by features of reactor design which have the immediate purpose of facilitating the repair and maintenance of nuclear power plants. Important among these features are the easy removal of the fuel and the confinement of radioactivity to the central region of the plant with a very substantial concrete shield. Specifications for new nuclear power plants require the designers, having regard to the consideration that safety and performance should not be impaired, not only to improve access for repair and maintenance, but also to pay further attention to the ultimate need for decommissioning.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what estimates have been made of the quantities of radioactive waste which will arise from the decommissioning of a Magnox or advanced gas-cooled power station.
§ Mr. BennAmounts will depend on the method of decommissioning adopted, and in particular the period that is allowed to elapse between shutdown and decommissioning. Calculations that have been made indicate that there is advantage in allowing radioactivity to decay before decommissioning is undertaken.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether any trial dismantling techniques have been evolved for the eventual decommissioning of nuclear power stations.
§ Mr. BennBasic techniques which are required for decommissioning are already available. Practical experience has been gained, for example, in maintenance and repair operations; and also in the carrying out of large scale decontamination and dismantling the chemical reprocessing plant which had been in service at Dounreay for 17 years. Work is also in hand on the decommissioning of the experimental fast reactor at Dounreay, and a308W scheme is being prepared for the Wind-scale AGR.