§ Mr. MacDonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will announce a decision about the future of the prototype reactor fuel at Dounreay; and if she will make a statement. [5607]
§ Mr. WilsonI have considered carefully the advice I have received about the future of this fuel, and the implications of this decision for the major goal of restoring the Dounreay site. I have concluded that refurbishment of the reprocessing facilities at Dounreay is not justified. I have consequently asked UKAEA to take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safety and security of the PFR fuel, and to agree with its regulators the most appropriate means of doing so.
I am confident that this decision will allow the management and workforce at Dounreay to focus exclusively on the environmental restoration of the site. 272W This is a project of national importance and the staff at Dounreay have my full support in undertaking this challenging task.
I am placing a copy of a document summarising my decision along with the responses to the public consultation in the Library of the House.