§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the timing of a public-private partnership for BNFL. [117205]
§ Mrs. LiddellRecent events at BNFL have clearly been a set back for the company. It is important that BNFL now responds positively to the HSE's reports on the Sellafield site and works to achieve necessary improvements in its safety and commercial performance. This will take time. As a result, it now appears that the earliest possible date for the introduction of any PPP into BNFL could not be before the latter part of 2002. The introduction and timing of any PPP remains subject to BNFL's performance against the targets set by Government as well as the further work being undertaken by the Government and their advisers.