HC Deb 15 February 1999 vol 325 cc455-7W
Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions he has had with the German Government concerning the possibility of converting contracts for the reprocessing of German spent nuclear fuel into contracts for the conditioning, temporary storage, transport cask construction, transport to Germany and building of storage facilities in Germany of German spent nuclear fuel, German nuclear waste and German separated plutonium now at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement; [70487]

(2) if his Department has undertaken a study of how contracts for the reprocessing of German spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield could be converted into contracts for dealing with German spent nuclear fuel, nuclear waste and separated plutonium now at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement. [70488]

Mr. Battle

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I have recently held discussions with members of the German government at which we reminded them that the United Kingdom government regard BNFL's contracts with the German utilities to be legally binding and we would expect them to be honoured.

Since 1976 all new contracts for reprocessing of overseas spent fuel have contained options for return of wastes. The government intend that such options should be exercised and that wastes arising from reprocessing be returned to the country of origin.

The construction of storage facilities for German spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste in Germany is a matter for the German government.

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those nations which have(a) already signed and (b) declared an intent to sign, legally binding contracts with British Nuclear Fuels to purchase MOX fuel. [70489]

Mr. Battle

Contracts and contracted terms between BNFL and its customers for the supply of goods and services are normally matters for the parties concerned. BNFL have already supplied MOX fuel to customers in Switzerland, Germany and Japan from its MOX Demonstration Facility at Sellafield.

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the technical feasibility of returning spent nuclear fuel, nuclear waste and separated plutonium currently at Sellafield to Germany; and if he will make a statement on the technical studies undertaken. [70486]

Mr. Battle

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I have made it clear in our recent meetings with members of the German government that all waste arising from reprocessing, and all unreprocessed German spent fuel at Sellafield will be returned.

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies his Department has undertaken of the availability of containers to transport German spent nuclear fuel, German nuclear waste and German separated plutonium now at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement of the results of them. [70485]

Mr. Battle

My Department has not undertaken a study of the availability of containers to transport German spent nuclear fuel, German nuclear waste and German separated plutonium now at Sellafield. All flasks for the transport of spent nuclear fuel are required to conform fully with the safety and security recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency.