Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 31 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 February 2006. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 February 2006 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

THORP

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his answer of 26 January 2006, Official Report, column 2355W, on THORP, whether ministerial approval is required in the event that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the British Nuclear Group agree the plant should restart.

Answer: The Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) has been shut since a major leak in April 2005. Once the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate is satisfied that its safety requirements are met, the decision as to when to re-start the operation of THORP would be for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to take, in conjunction with plant operator BNG.The NDA has been given a direction to operate THORP under the Energy Act 2004. A decision by the NDA to re-start the operation of THORP would therefore be in compliance with this direction. Further ministerial approval would not be required provided plans to re-start THORP are within the current operating plan for the plant.

Secondary information