§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has received on the cause and cost of the technical problem that resulted in the shut-down for an indefinite period of the prototype fast reactor at Dounreay; and when is it expected to re-open.
§ Mr. EggarI have been asked to reply.
We receive regular reports from the Atomic Energy Authority on the performance of the prototype fast reactor. It has been shut down since 29 June 1991 when a leak of oil into the primary sodium cooling circuit was discovered. The major cost has been the loss of electricity revenue. The amount involved is commercially confidential. I understand from the AEA that it hopes to restart the reactor by the end of January.