§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals have been submitted for decommissioning the Dounreay fast reactor, the prototype fast reactor and the HMS Vulcan reactor test establishment. [16054]
§ Mr. PageThe responsibility for the decommissioning of nuclear plant at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's Dounreay site rests with UKAEA Government division. The DTI has accepted responsibility for funding most of the work. Proposals for the decommissioning of the Dounreay fast reactor and the prototype fast reactor, which form part of the programme of work, have been agreed between the UKAEA Government division and the DTI. Both reactors are currently undergoing the first stage of decommissioning.
The decommissioning of the HMS Vulcan reactor test establishment is a matter for the Ministry of Defence.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what comparative studies were carried out into the options for managing the final load of spent nuclear fuel from the Dounreay prototype fast reactor; and what studies were done to justify the reprocessing of the fuel, as referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) on 14 February 1994,Official Report, column 573.
§ Mr. PageThe UKAEA has carried out a study of the management options for the final load of spent fuel from the Dounreay prototype fast reactor. The study considered the following alternatives to a continuation of reprocessing in the Dounreay PFR reprocessing plant:
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- (a) Reprocessing at Sellafield, in France, in CIS countries or in Japan;
- (b) Long term storage pending either reprocessing or direct disposal;
- (c) Direct disposal.
The study is presently being reviewed and updated to incorporate current data. It provisionally concluded that, on technical and economic grounds, continued reprocessing at Dounreay is the preferred option.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what action will be taken concerning installation of a nitric acid neutralising plant at Dounreay. [16053]
§ Mr. PageSpecifications for a nitric acid neutralisation plant at Dounreay are currently being prepared. It is expected that construction and installation of the necessary equipment will be completed by 1997.