§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the life expectancy of Calder Hall and Chapelcross nuclear power stations.
§ Mr. BaldryThis is an operational matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc—BNFL—subject to any safety requirements stipulated by the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate—NII. In the report on British Nuclear Fuels plc's long-term safety review of Calder Hall and Chapelcross, published by the Health and Safety Executive on 23 April, the nuclear installations inspectorate concluded that the stations would be safe to operate until each reactor is 40 years old, subject to British Nuclear Fuels plc's completing a programme of work and to satisfactory results from the regular test and inspection programme required under the licensing system enforced by the nuclear installations inspectorate. The oldest reactor will reach 40 years in 1996, the youngest in 1999.
I understand that it is British Nuclear Fuels plc's policy to continue to operate Calder Hall and Chapelcross as long as the stations remain safe and it is economic. The company believes continued operation beyond the 40 years assumed in the present nuclear installations inspectorate assessment could be economically justified. It will consider a further major safety review to support this view at the appropriate time.