To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what reasons Nuclear Management Partners and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority decided to close the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (THORP) at Sellafield; what plans his Department has for the imported spent irradiated fuel awaiting reprocessing at THORP; and if he will make a statement. (277658)

THORP has not been closed; it is currently operating, albeit on a batch basis where each batch has its own safety justification. Existing policy for THORP is the plant will continue to operate until existing contracts have been completed or the plant is no longer economic.