Written question asked by Alan Duncan (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 May 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 May 2006. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Friday, 12 May 2006 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Thorp Reprocessing Plant

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely timescale for reopening the Thorp nuclear reprocessing plant; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estimates that the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) is likely to be ready to reopen in the summer. A decision on whether to restart rests with the NDA Board is subject to the Health and Safety Executive's safety requirements being met. The Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate will not allow THORP to restart until it is satisfied that these safety requirements have been met.

Secondary information