§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what discussions British Nuclear Fuels has had recently with Japanese electrical utilities or Japanese nuclear fuel companies for the provision of mixed oxide fuel; [26269]
(2) what proportion of the existing capacity at the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. at the Sellafield mixed oxide plant has been contracted for the next 10 years; which countries have placed contracts for the production of MOX fuel at the plant; and what is the total value of contracts placed to date for MOX fuel production. [26270]
§ Mr. PageCommercial and operational matters are the responsibility of the board of British Nuclear Fuels.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on(a) the current status of materials accountancy and (b) the application of nuclear safeguards at the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. Sellafield mixed oxide plant. [26259]
§ Mr. PageThe Sellafield MOX plants are subject to Euratom safeguards and the terms of the UK—Euratom—IAEA safeguards agreement. The MOX demonstration facility has been in operation since 1993 and is subject to Euratom safeguards, with regular materials accountancy reports being supplied in accordance with regulation 3227/76. The Sellafield MOX plant is currently under construction, necessary documentation has been provided to Euratom and discussions are in progress on the detailed safeguard arrangements.