Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the reason for the UKAEA shutting down its Pluto reactor at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell; and what is the present estimated cost of decommissioning the reactor.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Pluto materials testing react or at Harwell will be closed at the end of March 1990 because the prospects of business beyond the end of the 559W forthcoming financial year are judged to be insufficient to maintain the operation of two materials testing reactors. The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has said that depending on customer requirements it expects that the other materials testing reactor—Dido—will continue in operation for several years more.
The full programme of decommissioning Pluto is being evaluated by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. The planning and execution of the decommissioning programme will be carried out in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive.