Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Monday, 8 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 September 2003. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Thursday, 18 September 2003 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 assessment she has made of the value of investments in Thorp. - Including figure and ref to an assessment of the economics of Thorp published in 1993. BNFL's annual reports in Library.

Answer: Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the value of investments in Thorp. [129396] Mr. Timms: An assessment of the economics of Thorp was published in 1993 as part of the public consultation process concerning operation of the plant. This assessment may be found in the Library of the House. It states that the costs associated with constructing Thorp amounted to £5.5 billion. It also explains that the contracts for the baseload period of the plant's operation provide for recovery of full capital costs as well as the on-going operating costs and provide for the operator, BNFL, to make a profit. Details of BNFL's financial performance--including the performance of its spent fuel management business--are provided in the company's annual reports which are also in the Libraries of the House.

Secondary information