§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what emergency storage facilities exist at the Sizewell B reactor for nuclear fuel rods withdrawn from the reactor core should an accident occur while the interim on site storage ponds are being completed. [22034]
§ Mr. PageI understand that the fuel storage pond at Sizewell B was commissioned before nuclear fuel was accepted on site. There has therefore been no need for any interim storage facilities, nor is there a need for any additional emergency storage facility. If fuel failures should occur, the failed fuel can be withdrawn from the reactor core using the normal fuel handling equipment and can then be stored safely in the fuel storage pond.