Written question asked by David Chaytor (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 July 2000. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Thursday, 27 July 2000 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what research has been commissioned by the Environment Agency, in the context of its current review of authorisations of Sellafield discharges, into (a) the use of Magnox fuel in Magnox reactors, (b) the construction of a new head-end plant at Thorp and (c) dry storage technologies. - (Holding answer 11 April 2000).

Answer: Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research has been commissioned by the Environment Agency, in the context of its current review of authorisations of Sellafield discharges, into (a) the use of Magnox fuel in Magnox reactors, (b) the construction of a new head-end plant at Thorp and (c) dry storage technologies. [117164] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 11 April 2000]: I understand that the Environment Agency has not commissioned research into the use of Magnox fuel in Magnox reactors or into dry storage techniques. However as part of the current Sellafield review, the agency is requiring BNFL to asses whether it would be practicable to modify the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plan (THORP) to enable it to reprocess spent Magnox fuel.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 354 c780W; 117164
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Radioactive waste Nuclear fuel reprocessing Storage Research THORP Sellafield Magnox reactors
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk