Written question asked by Llew Smith (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 October 2000. It was answered by Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke (Labour) on Monday, 30 October 2000 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, what was the total expenditure on fast reactor research and development at Dounreay from the inception of the Fast Reactor Programme until its closure; and what is his estimate of the likely costs of decommissioning the Dounreay site to greenfield conditions. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total expenditure on fast reactor research and development at Dounreay from the inception of the Fast Reactor Programme until its closure; and what is his estimate of the likely costs of decommissioning the Dounreay site to greenfield conditions. [135437] Mrs. Liddell: I understand from UKAEA that in 1990, towards the end of the UK Fast Reactor research and development programme, the total investment in the programme over 30 years was estimated to be £4 billion (undiscounted, in 1988 prices). This figure includes design and development for the programme at Risley and other sites as well as at Dounreay. The cost of decommissioning and restoring the Dounreay site is estimated to be in the region of £4 billion (undiscounted, in 1999-2000 prices) over a 50-60 year timescale.

Secondary information