Written question asked by Helen Goodman (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 April 2006. It was answered by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Friday, 12 May 2006 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

British Nuclear Group

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discount rate has been used to calculate the nuclear liabilities of British Nuclear Group in preparation for its sale by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.

Answer: Following the European Commission's decision on State Aid as announced on 4 April (press release reference IP/06/428), financial responsibility for the civil nuclear liabilities of BNFL including British Nuclear Group was assumed by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority with effect from 31 March 2006. The sale of BNG was agreed to in the expectation that the State Aid decision would be favourable in allowing for this assumption of financial responsibility. As such, the sale of BNG does not include those nuclear liabilities and no calculations were needed.

Secondary information