§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the reasons for, and the amounts of, increased spending on back-end fuel costs in years 1994–95 and 1995–96 by Nuclear Electric and British Nuclear Fuels. [40724]
§ Mr. PageIncreased spending by Nuclear Electric on back-end fuel costs in 1994–95 and 1995–96 included partial payments of outstanding moneys due to BNFL from the period between 1989 when contract negotiations began until 1995, when fixed price contracts between Nuclear Electric and BNFL were finalised. The exact value of these payments is a commercial matter for the companies concerned.
§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the difference in the discounted advanced gas-cooled reactor and pressurised water reactor liabilities between the figures announced in(a) February and (b) British Energy's prospectus. [40722]
§ Mr. PageThe difference between the figures for discounted AGR and PWR liabilities discussed in February in, for example, submissions to the Trade and Industry Committee and the figures published in the prospectus is mainly attributable to the change in the discount rate from 2 per cent. to 3 per cent.
§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on current Government policy on the time scale for decommissioning and dismantling nuclear power stations. [40725]
§ Mr. PageGovernment policy on the decommissioning of nuclear power stations is set out in paragraphs 124 to 127 of last year's final conclusions of the "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy", Cm 2919, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the result of the nuclear installations inspectorate investigations into the cause of spent fuel damage in advanced gas-cooled reactors at(a) Hunterston, (b) Hinkley Point, (c) Torness, (d) Heysham (i) 1 and (ii) 2 and (e) Hartlepool; and if he will make a statement. [41035]
§ Mr. PageI understand that Nuclear Electric and Scottish Nuclear are currently carrying out an investigation into the causes and implications of a small amount of unexpected wear to the external ribbing of some fuel pins recently discharged from some AGR nuclear power stations. The Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate, which is closely monitoring this investigation, is satisfied that the unexpected wear raises no immediate safety concerns and that the installations can continue to operate.
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§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the arrangements for payment of the AGR reprocessing costs. [40838]