Energy: Nuclear Power Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Energy: Nuclear Power

Lord Avebury Excerpts
Thursday 29th November 2012

(12 years ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Baroness Verma Portrait Baroness Verma
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I go back to what I said to my noble friend Lord Jenkin: these things take time and are under negotiation. I am sure that my noble friend will appreciate that the outcome needs to satisfy many parties.

Lord Avebury Portrait Lord Avebury
- Hansard - -

My Lords, when do the Government expect to receive the report of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on the future management or reuse of the 100 tonnes of plutonium that are now held at Sellafield at an estimated cost up to 2030 of £16.9 billion? What consideration are the Government giving to the offer by GE Hitachi to build two PRISM reactors that would reuse this material and be provided at no cost to the Government? That would generate 630 megawatts of electricity that would cost the taxpayer nothing.

Baroness Verma Portrait Baroness Verma
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I know that my noble friend is very involved with this issue. While we have a preferred option, we are always open to other forms of disposal. We will keep the noble Lord informed of what we are doing, if he is interested to know.