HC Deb 12 January 1994 vol 235 cc236-7W
Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the earliest date that the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield can begin stage 5 commissioning.

Mr. Eggar

The authorisations granted pursuant to the decision of my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will come into force on 17 January. Progress in commissioning the thermal oxide reprocessing plant beyond that date is a commercial matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc, subject to meeting the requirements of the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate.