§ Dr. MoonieTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what recommendations she has received about the future of Dounreay. [44559]
§ Mr. BattleThe UKAEA have advised me that there is no economic case for supporting commercial reprocessing at Dounreay over the longer term. The Government have therefore decided that Dounreay should take on no further commercial reprocessing work. Reprocessing at Dounreay will therefore come to an end when the plant has completed reprocessing its own fuel, the Georgian Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) and its existing commercial contracts.
In carrying forward this remaining work, the UKAEA has assured my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and me that safety will be paramount and,
386W
Gross income 150 200 250 300 400 For the 1998–99 tax year Single Person—no children National Insurance 9.88 14.88 19.88 24.88 34.88 Income Tax 13.87 24.96 36.46 47.96 70.96 Tax and NICs, as a percentage of gross earnings 15.8 19.9 22.5 24.3 26.5 Net income 126.25 160.16 193.66 227.16 294.16 Equivalised Net Income 206.97 262.55 317.47 372.39 482.22 Lone Parent (1 child aged 4 years)—new lone parent since April 1998, not receiving lone parents benefit National Insurance 9.88 14.88 19.88 24.88 34.88 Income Tax 8.38 19.48 30.98 42.48 65.48 Child Benefit 11.45 11.45 11.45 11.45 11.45 Family Credit 37.54 13.80 0.00 0.00 0.00 Tax and NICs, less child benefit and family credit, as a percentage of gross earnings -20.5 4.6 15.8 18.6 22.2 Net Income 180.72 190.89 210.59 244.09 311.09 Equivalised Net Income 228.76 241.63 266.56 308.97 393.78 investment income from the Insolvency Services Account and Insolvency Services Investment Account. Since March 1990, these have been:
for as long as their fuel reprocessing plans remain, they will continue to be maintained to the standards needed to satisfy all regulatory requirements. The Government believe that nothing is more important than safety in the management of nuclear facilities. That is why we welcome the audit of safety procedures and management currently being taken forward by the Health and Safety Executive and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency at Dounreay, which will ensure that the highest standards of safety are maintained.