HC Deb 04 April 1995 vol 257 cc1016-7W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government has made of whether the European bank for reconstruction and development has established that detailed and satisfactory plans have been made for the safe storage of radioactive waste produced during the proposed operation of the nuclear power plant at Mochovce, Slovakia. [16108]

Mr. Baldry

The bank's project documentation indicates that adequate technical, environmental and financial provision has been made for the short and medium-term safe storage of spent fuel and other radioactive wastes. The Slovak Government are considering plans for final storage facilities, provision of which would be covenanted in a project agreement between the bank and Slovenske Elektrarne, the Slovak power utility.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's position on the projections for gas prices, decommissioning costs, discount rates and variable currency exchange rates for Mochovce nuclear power plant in Slovakia contained in the least cost study prepared for the European bank for reconstruction and development's directors. [16109]

Mr. Baldry

We are examining the least cost study and comments made on it by a number of organisations.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the recurring problems relating to fire protection and essential operational, emergency and control systems associated with Soviet VVER-440/213 nuclear reactor design can be resolved by superimposing other technologies as proposed for the completion of the Mochovce nuclear power plant in Slovakia. [16110]

Mr. Baldry

The safety review of the Mochovce plant undertaken by Riskaudit examined these aspects and made recommendations for their improvement. It confirmed that the standards applied for the management and operation of the plant are fully in line with the fundamental principles set out in relevant International Atomic Energy Agency documents. It also confirmed that the proposed project safety measures, including the recommendations included in the safety review, would make the Mochovce plant acceptable under good western practices.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made as to whether the specification for the proposed Mochovce nuclear plant would satisfy the environmental and safety standards required for equivalent plant operating in the United Kingdom. [16111]

Mr. Baldry

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor) on 21 February at column130.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conclusions the Government's review of its policy on the European bank for reconstruction and development's proposed funding for the Mochovce nuclear power plant in Slovakia, has reached; and what assessment he has made as to whether the completion of the plant or alternative supply and demand-side measures represent the least cost option. [16112]

Mr. Baldry

We have not yet finalised our position on this project.