HL Deb 21 October 1991 vol 531 cc124-5WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of the danger of accumulating large stocks of plutonium, to which the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield is intended to be a substantial contributor, and whether they will reconsider their decision to proceed with this project?

Lord Cavendish of Furness

Plutonium can be used as a valuable source of energy. Plutonium stocks held in the United Kingdom are subject to the highest standards of safety and security which will not be diminished by the additional quantities arising from the thermal oxide reprocessing plant. Civil plutonium stocks are also subject to Euratom safeguards and to the terms of the United Kingdom/IAEA/Euratom safeguards agreement. On the basis of existing orders, British Nuclear Fuels plc has already secured the profitability of the plant.