Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 10 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 March 2005. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 March 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how many drums of plutonium-contaminated processing waste are held at Sellafield; and what the (a) maximum and (b) average plutonium content of each drum is.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many drums of plutonium- contaminated processing waste are held at Sellafield; and what the (a) maximum and (b) average plutonium content of each drum is. [221567] Mr. Mike O'Brien :[holding answer 14 March 2005]: I am advised by BNFL that there are over 35,000 drums of plutonium contaminated waste held in storage at Sellafield. For drums of plutonium contaminated waste arising from the last 40 years of operations at the site the best estimate maximum plutonium content is around 170 g with an average plutonium content of a few grams.

Secondary information