§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will provide information on the thermal energy generated and spent fuel discharged by each of the Central Electricity Generating Board's magnox reactors in the fiscal year 1983–84;
(2) if he will provide information on the amount of plutonium produced, and the total of all isotopes, by each of the Central Electricity Generating Board magnox reactors in each fiscal year from 1978–79 to 1983–84;
(3) if he will provide information on the amount of plutonium in the spent fuel in storage at the each of the Central Electricity Generating Board's magnox reactors on 31 March 1978 and on 31 March 1984;
(4) if he will update to 31 March 1984 the information on the allocation of plutonium produced in Central Electricity Generating Board and South of Scotland Electricity Board magnox reactors given in reply to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester), on 27 July 1983, Official Report, column 438.
§ Mr. GoodladThe following table sets out the allocation or use of plutonium produced in the Magnox reactors of the CEGB and SSEB at 31 March 1984.
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Table One Allocation of Plutonium produced in CEGB or SSEB Magnox
reactors. Position at 31 March 1984.
Tonnes (Nearest ½tonne) Plutonium in irradiated fuel (a) Estimated in fuel in CEGB/SSEB Magnox reactors 9 (b) Estimated plutonium in fuel discharged from CEGB/SSEB Magnox reactors, but not yet reprocessed 3½ Separated plutonium (c) In stock at British Nuclear Fuels Ltd as oxide 19½.
Tonnes (Nearest ½tonne) (d) In process at British Nuclear Fuels Ltd in intermediate other forms (eg. nitrate) ½ (e) Sold or leased to UKAEA for Fast Reactor R & D since 1969 5 (f) Exported for civil purposes to countries other than the US ½ Sub total 38 (g) Balance (see note (g) below) Notes (a) These figures are derived from the known tonnage of fuel elements and their estimated overall average irradiation and cannot be accurately calculated. (b) As for (a). About 30% of amount shown was held by BNFL. (e) About 20% of amount shown was held by BNFL. (g) The balance of plutonium produced in the Boards' Magnox reactors was consigned to the United States before 1971 under the United States/United Kingdom Defence Agreement, and as stated by the Prime Minister, on 21 April 1964, was used by United States for civil purposes. Because of the barter arrangements under which this plutonium was consigned, it would not be in the national interest to publish this figure. The themal output generated and spent fuel discharged for each of the CEGB's Magnox stations in 1983–84 was as follows:
Table Two Station Thermal Output (Gwh) Fuel Discharged (tonnes u) Bradwell 5448 64 Berkeley 3786 8 Hinkley Point A 13416 104 Trawsfynydd 10678 105 Dungeness A 10368 94 Sizewell 11552 91 Oldbury 10668 97 Wylfa 24249 121 The total of the board's plutonium in spent fuel in storage at the stations and at Sellafield at 31 March 1984 is given in table one line b. Typical plutonium production rates for Magnox reactors were given by my hon. Friend 547W the Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Erewash (Mr. Rost) on 27 July 1983 at column 439. I have nothing to add.