§ Mr. Chisholmto ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to hold consultation exercises to assess the opinion of the Scottish people with regard to the reprocessing of American spent fuel rods at Dounreay. [41627]
§ Mr. PageReprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at Dounreay is an established industrial process which has been undertaken at Dounreay for more than 30 years. It is carried out subject to nuclear installations inspectorate and Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate regulation. There is no reason to engage in public consultation about the continuation of such a well-established and well-regulated activity.
Commercial reprocessing will be an important factor in maintaining employment levels in the Dounreay area. The DTI will continue to support it provided that the appropriate regulatory requirements continue to be met and there is a commercial return.
§ Mr. ChisholmTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what correspondence he has received from the United States Government concerning opposition to the reprocessing of American spent fuel rods at Dounreay. [41626]
§ Mr. PageThe US Department of Energy has sent my officials two copies of letters they have received opposing reprocessing at Dounreay.