HC Deb 21 January 2004 vol 416 cc1233-4W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the audited amount of(a) plutonium and (b) uranium at each nuclear energy facility which was unaccounted for in each year since 1997. [148500]

Nigel Griffiths

I have been asked to reply.

In accordance with international practice, the inventory difference that occurs when the result of a physical inventory of nuclear material is compared with the book inventory is referred to as MUF ('material unaccounted for'). The difference may be negative (an apparent loss) or positive (an apparent gain). MUF is a recognised feature of accounting for nuclear material and is caused primarily by the uncertainties inherent in the techniques used to measure nuclear material. MUF figures at UKAEA, BNFL and Urenco sites are published annually by the industry. Copies of the figures published since 1997 have been placed in the Library of the House. There is no evidence to suggest that there have been any real losses or gains of nuclear material.