To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the cost of (a) current Magnox nuclear liabilities and (b) future Magnox nuclear liabilities; and if she will set out the basis on which these estimates are made. [2228]

The estimated cost of meeting Magnox Electric's liabilities are given in the company's report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 1996 as £8.9 billion discounted at 3 per cent. real and £18.2 billion undiscounted. I understand that updated figures will be published in the company's report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 1997, which should be published in the next few months.