§ Mr. Flynnasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether any British electricity board magnox reactors have ever been modified to optimise military grade plutonium production.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, Central (Mr. Moore) on 24 February 1982 at column397.
Mr. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will update to 31 March 1987 the information on thermal energy generated and spent fuel discharged by each of the Central Electricity Generating Board magnox reactors given in reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy on 26 June 1987, Official Report, column 269;
(2) if he will update to 31 March the information on the allocation of plutonium produced in the Central Electricity Generating Board and South of Scotland Electricity Board magnox reactors given in reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy on 21 July 1986, Official Report, columns 10–11.
§ Mr. Michael Spicer[pursuant to his reply, 2 July 1987, c. 128]: The information is as follows:
518W
Station Thermal output Fuel discharged (Gwh) (tonnes u) Bradwell 6,624 60 Berkeley 4,264 34 Hinkley Point A 14,487 123 Trawsfynydd 12,453 90 Dungeness A 9,207 68 Sizewell 8,825 71 Oldbury 11,048 97 Wylfa 21,948 47
Allocation or use of plutonium produced in CEGB or SSEB Magnox reactors (position at 31 March 1987) Tonnes (to nearest half tonne) Plutonium in irradiated fuel (a) estimated in fuel in CEGB/SSEB Magnox reactors 10.0 (b) estimated plutonium in fuel discharged from CEGB/SSEB Magnox reactors, but not yet processed 4.0 Separated plutonium (c) in stock at British Nuclear Fuels plc as oxide 24.5 (d) in process at British Nuclear Fuels in intermediate other forms (eg nitrate) 0.5 (e) sold or leased to UKAEA for fast reactor R & D since 1969 5.5 (f) exported for civil purposes to countries other than the United States 0.5 45.0 Sub-total (g) Balance (see note (g) below) Notes:
(a) These figures are derived from the known tonnage of fuel elements and heir estimated overall average irradiation and cannot be accurately calculated.
(b) As for (a) About 20 per cent, of amount shown was held by BNFL.
(c) and (d) This material is held at Sellafied on behalf of CEGB and SSEB.
(e) About 20 per cent, 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 the United States for civil purposes. Because of the barter arrangements under which plutonium was consigned it would not be in the national interest to publish the figure.