Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if Nirex has agreed to take responsibility for the disposal of radioactive wastes arising from the reprocessing of Swedish spent nuclear fuel currently stored at Sellafield.
§ Mr. ParkinsonNirex is currently developing proposals for a deep repository for low and intermediate-level wastes. Acceptance of particular wastes will depend on contracts to be negotiated when a disposal facility is available. It is expected that Nirex will accept wastes arising from all United Kingdom sources, including Sellafield.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total volume of(a) low-level nuclear wastes, (b) intermediate-level nuclear wastes, (c) high-level nuclear wastes, (d) depleted uranium and (e) plutonium expected to arise from all contracts signed (i) before 1976 and (ii) since 1976 with Swedish companies for the storage and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield.
§ Mr. ParkinsonAll BNFL's reprocessing contracts with Swedish companies for reprocessing at Sellafield were signed before 1976. The products that will be obtained from this reprocessing are estimated at:
- (a) Low-level waste, 900 cubic metres.
- (b) Intermediate-level waste, 140 cubic metres.
- (c) High-level waste, 8 cubic metres.
- (d) Uranium, 136 tonnes.
- (e) Plutonium, 1 tonne.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what proportion of the contracts signed before 1976 with Swedish companies for the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel cover the management and disposal costs arising for low and intermediate-level nuclear wastes.
§ Mr. ParkinsonContracts signed before 1976 with Swedish companies, in common with all contracts signed before 1976, for the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel do not include options for the return of waste. All these contracts therefore cover the management and disposal costs in respect of the wastes arising from them.