§ Mr. BakerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her policy in respect of the importation of spent nuclear fuel for reprocessing; and if she will make a statement. [26982]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 2 February 1998]: The question of whether to reprocess or to seek alternative options to deal with spent fuel should be a matter for the commercial judgment of the owners of the spent fuel, subject to meeting the necessary requirements laid down by the United Kingdom's regulatory authorities. Since 1976 all contracts for the reprocessing of overseas spent fuel have included options for the return of waste arising from reprocessing. The United Kingdom Government intend that these options should be exercised.