§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is her estimate of the(a) current and (b) projected liabilities arising from radiological contamination owned by (i) BNFL, (ii) UKAEA and (iii) the oil industry; and if she will make a statement on what steps she plans to take to deal with these liabilities. [19881]
§ Mr. WilsonAs at 31 March 2001, BNFL manages some £35 billion liabilities (undiscounted) of which it is financially responsible for £24 billion (undiscounted). It was announced on 28 November by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry that the liabilities will be increased by some £1.9 billion (discounted at 2.5 per cent.) due to the recently completed review of historic waste management by BNFL.
As at 31 March 2001 UKAEA manages some £7.4 billion liabilities (undiscounted) (excluding those at BNFL sites).
The figures represent current best estimates of lifetime liabilities and do not take account of the potential cost of changes in regulatory and policy requirements.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made a statement to the House on 28 November about the future management of public sector civil nuclear liabilities.
The Government do not have an estimate of the oil industry's liabilities arising from radiological contamination.