2.48 p.m.
asked Her Majesty's Government:
In the light of recent events at British Nuclear Fuels Limited, what is their policy regarding the future of the Thorp and Mox plants at Sellafield.
My Lords, the Government's policy on reprocessing and on the export of Mox remains unchanged. The Health and Safety Executive's report published on 18th February identified serious failures in BNFL's management of safety at Sellafield. Nevertheless, HSE confirms that the site is currently operating safely. BNFL needs to take action urgently to restore confidence and a good start has been made with the appointment of Norman Askew as the new Chief Executive.
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Is now the time for a complete re-think of our nuclear waste strategy? Does the noble Lord agree that the Thorp plant at Sellafield, which reprocesses nuclear waste primarily for Japan and Germany, has proved to be a massive white elephant? Does he also agree that if the Government give full approval for the mixed oxide fuel plant at Sellafield, this will compound the previous government's error over Thorp?
My Lords, this is not the time for a complete reappraisal. We have a serious failure of management, not a failure in the policy or design of the processing plants. Far from being white elephants, they have huge contracts stretching into the future which are of enormous value.
My Lords, does not the Minister believe that the best way to solve BNFL's management problems is to privatise it and that the Government should not be put off from doing so by the problems with Germany and Japan?
My Lords, no. Clearly, this is a setback for the company and has implications for its performance and readiness for the introduction of a PPP. We shall continue to work on that, but it is dependent on proper safety and regulations.
My Lords, can the Minister give the up-to-date position on the Japanese contracts?
My Lords, discussions are taking place with the Japanese about the fuel at Takahama and all the options are being examined as regards progress.
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the falsification of documents, particularly in a dangerous nuclear plant, is very serious and that the people who perpetrated such action ought to be prosecuted? Are they going to be prosecuted?
Secondly, is the Minister aware that for a long time fears have been raised about the plant not only members of this Government, but by members of the Irish Government, too? Thirdly, will the Minister confirm that the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate has always had a permanent presence at Sellafield? Why was it unable to pick up the bad running which, in the light of what has happened, was always evident?My Lords, I hope I made it clear at the beginning that we believe there to have been serious management failures. That is why we have a new chief executive and why five members of the staff have been dismissed. The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate picked up the failures and reported on them and steps have been taken to correct them.
My Lords, before the Minister can answer some of these questions, is it not necessary to know for what purpose the security procedures were falsified, how it was possible to do that and what steps will be taken to ensure that it never happens again? When shall we be told that?
My Lords, it is clear from the reports that the records were falsified simply because the workers in the area did not want to do the work; it was easier to produce false documentation. That is why the breach of management procedures was outrageous and why serious action has rightly been taken.
My Lords, is this not another reason why the Government should return to their emphasis on the coal industry? Is my noble friend aware that this country has millions of tonnes of unmined coal and that we are producing it more cheaply than any other country? Is that not another good reason?
My Lords, we are talking about a reprocessing plant rather than about the nuclear power stations. Again, I reiterate that we should not confuse a failure of management with the need to revise our energy policy.
My Lords, do not the events show that reprocessing breeds a climate of deception and is likely to do so in future? Therefore, should we not abandon the whole proposition of reprocessing?
My Lords, there is nothing to suggest that there was any disaffection in relation to the matter. As I said, it was a failure of both management and workers and it can happen in other plants and factories—and it does from time to time. It is important to correct the situation and regain the confidence of the public and the customers as soon as possible.