HC Deb 14 July 1999 vol 335 cc214-5W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what quantities of spent fuel have been imported from Spain, and on what dates; what safeguards arrangements cover the fuel; and what commitments there are to return the radioactive waste arising from reprocessing the fuel to Spain. [91171]

Mr. Battle

The timing and quantities of spent fuel imported to Sellafield for specific customers are a commercial and operational matter for BNFL and their customers. All civil nuclear material in the United Kingdom is subject to Euratom safeguards and to the terms of the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement. Since 1976 all new contracts for the reprocessing of overseas spent fuel have contained options for the return of wastes. BNFL's overseas reprocessing contracts prior to 1976, including those with Spanish utilities, do not contain return of wastes options.