§ Mr. Emeryasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the present estimate of the total cost of the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant being undertaken by or for British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. at Windscale; and how much this has increased from the figure given in evidence to the Wind-scale inquiry.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe figure for the total estimated investment in the oxide reprocessing plant at Windscale—THORP 683W —given in evidence to the Windscale inquiry, which was expressed in mid-1977 money values, was £580 million. I am advised that the cost expressed in January 1980 money values is estimated at approximately £770 million, and that the increase of £190 million is wholly due to the change in the purchasing power of money over the period.