Sellafield (Hansard, 16 June 1997)

§ Dr. Lynne Jones
To ask the President of the Board of Trade when MOX fuel fabrication is due to commence at the new Sellafield MOX plant. [3135]

§ Mr. Battle
The precise timing for commissioning of the new Sellafield Mixed Oxide (MOX) plant is an operational matter for the company, subject to meeting regulatory requirements. However, I understand that the MOX plant is expected to commence operations sometime in 1998.
59W

§ Dr. Jones
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Sellafield MOX plant will be set up to handle weapon-grade plutonium. [3136]

§ Mr. Battle
The Sellafield MOX Plant (SMP) has been designed to handle civil plutonium. I understand that BNFL currently has no plans for the plant to handle ex-military plutonium.
G7 countries have already recognised that, in the context of disposing of Ssurplus fissile military materials, incorporating the plutonium into MOX fuels—and subsequently irradiating it—is an important means of safeguarding the material. No decision has yet been made whether to convert surplus plutonium taken from nuclear weapons in the USA and former Soviet Union into MOX fuel and burn in conventional reactors.

§ Dr. Jones
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if routine checking will take place of the weight and isotopic composition of the feed material the Sellafield MOX plant receives. [3137]

§ Mr. Battle
The Sellafield MOX plant is subject to international safeguards arrangements which require the reporting of the weight and isotopic composition of plutonium feed to the plant.