§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the status of the spent plutonium held in the United Kingdom; and whether it is classified as an asset or waste. [HL989]
§ Lord WhittyThe UK Government believe that it is for the owners of plutonium, subject to their meeting the appropriate safety, security and international safeguards requirements, to choose their preferred management option.
It is important to distinguish between plutonium stocks held in the UK on behalf of foreign customers, as a result of the reprocessing of their spent nuclear fuel, and those held on behalf of UK nuclear generators and other UK companies. Plutonium owned by BNFL is currently classified as an asset at zero value. Plutonium held on behalf of BNFL's foreign customers is material owned by BNFL's customers and held by BNFL to their order.
Plutonium owned by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is also classified as an asset at zero value. Plutonium is also owned by British Energy, but it is a matter for the company how it accounts for its stocks.