Nuclear Reprocessing (Hansard, 20 November 2003)

§ Mr. Stunell
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library copies of the inter-governmental agreements relating to the repatriation of nuclear materials to Italy consequent upon reprocessing activities in the UK. [138316]

§ Mr. Timms
The inter-governmental letters referred to represent confidential correspondence between HMG and the Government of Italy. As such it would not be appropriate to accede to the hon. Member's request.

§ Mr. Stunell
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment she has made of whether proper arrangements are in place in respect of nuclear material from Italy currently in the UK for(a) their repatriation to Italy in a safe and timely way and (b) their safe storage in the UK pending dispatch; and if she will make a statement; [138317]
(2) what arrangements are in place for the repatriation to Italy of (a) plutonium and (b) uranium recovered in the UK by BNFL. [138319]

§ Mr. Timms
The arrangements in place for reprocessing of overseas spent fuel contain 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. It has been the practice of successive Governments to obtain, before a contract for the reprocessing of foreign spent fuel is signed, assurances from the relevant government that it will take no legislative or regulatory steps to prevent the return of wastes arising under the contract.
The adequacy of the facilities for managing those wastes is a matter for their owners and the regulatory authorities of the country concerned in accordance with the relevant legislation of that country.
We have an extremely stringent regulatory framework in place to ensure that the storage and eventual repatriation of nuclear materials conforms with all national and international regulations. Ensuring the safety of activities at nuclear installations is the highest priority for the Government and everyone involved in the UK civil nuclear industry.

§ Mr. Stunell
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have been held by(a) Ministers and (b) officials with BNFL in the last two years relating to the future (i) location and (ii) storage of reprocessed nuclear fuel from Italy; and if she will make a statement. [138318]

§ Mr. Timms
There have been no discussions between Ministers and officials with BNFL in the last two years relating to these matters.