HC Deb 10 February 1995 vol 254 c430W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what unforeseen technical problems have been experienced by BNFL in the commissioning of THORP; and what are their safety implications.

Mr. Charles Wardle

[holding answer 9 February 1995]: This is a management matter for BNFL. The commissioning programme for THORP is being implemented subject to the appropriate regulatory requirements.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's response to the cancellation of two German reprocessing contracts for THORP; how the cancellation of these contracts will affect the projected profits from the plant; and if he will ensure that the Touche Ross report commissioned by BNFL is made public to allow verification of the projected profits from THORP.

Mr. Charles Wardle

[holding answer 9 February 1995]: These are commercial matters for the company. The two German reprocessing contracts which were cancelled related to business for the second 10 years of THORP's operation. I understand from BNFL that they do not affect the baseload operations of THORP arid hence its profitability during itS first 10 years of operation. The projected profits from THORP were set out in the document published by the company entitled, "The economic and commercial justification for THORP'', copies of which is available in the Library of the House.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current operational status of THORP.

Mr. Charles Wardle

[holding answer 9 February 1995]: This is an operational matter for BNFL.