§ Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State Defence what plans he has to use(a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership mechanisms to decommission nuclear submarines. [184663]
§ Mr. IngramThere are no plans to use either the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) or Public Private Partnership (PPP) to defuel and decommission nuclear powered submarines when they leave operational service. Since 1990 this work has been contracted out to Devonport Management Limited in Plymouth. As part of this process, the submarine's reactor is defuelled at the earliest practicable opportunity and the fuel—High Level Waste (HLW)—is removed for long term storage at British Nuclear Fuels plc at Sellafield.
We are undertaking Project ISOLUS, to determine storage arrangements for the Intermediate Level Waste (ILW) from the decommissioned submarines, pending a decision on a national waste management solution, and are currently considering industry outline proposals. PFI, partnering and prime contracting are the procurement options being considered. PFI will only be pursued if it can be demonstrated that it offers the most effective procurement strategy.