To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the Nirex work force regarding his proposals to merge Nirex into the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. (98104)

The Secretary of State made clear in his parliamentary statement and his open letter to the Nirex Chair that we are determined to harness the skill and commitment of the Nirex work force within the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The Nirex Board is being consulted about the proposed share sale. We are committed to ensuring that Nirex staff will be fairly treated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many meetings his Department's (a) Ministers and (b) officials have had with representatives of (i) Nirex, (ii) the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and (iii) Sovereign Strategy in the last 24 months. (98140)

On 1 April 2005, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) was established under the Energy Act 2004 and United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. was brought under Government ownership.

Since that time, according to departmental records, DEFRA Ministers have had meetings with representatives of Nirex on two occasions and with representatives of the NDA on one occasion. DEFRA officials have had meetings with representatives of Nirex on at least 21 occasions and with the NDA on at least 14 occasions. There have been no meetings between DEFRA Ministers, or DEFRA officials, and representatives of Sovereign Strategy.

DEFRA officials have also been at meetings and workshops with more general attendance at which representatives of Nirex or the NDA have been present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 30 October 2006, Official Report, column 273W, on Nirex, if he will consult the Sustainable Development Commission on his plans to merge Nirex into the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. (99456)

Ministers and officials meet the Sustainable Development Commission regularly, and there is opportunity to raise any matters in which they have an interest.