As the Deputy is aware the UK authorities recently held a second Public Consultation on the proposed THORP reprocessing plant at Sellafield. In response to this consultation, I made a comprehensive submission on behalf of the Government to the UK authorities which details our opposition to THORP and calls for a full, open and independent public inquiry.
As part of this most recent public consultation British Nuclear Fuels plc prepared a document for the UK authorities entitled "The Economic and Commercial Justification for THORP". This document did indicate that some 1,800 tonnes of uranium fuel is in storage at Sellafield awaiting reprocessing and that "over 90 per cent of this fuel has been dismantled in preparation for reprocessing". I would expect that this should not be a factor which would affect the decision to be reached by the UK authorities on THORP.
I am not aware of any serious malfunction in the computer system at Sellafield. I am aware, however, of recent media reports of a computer virus at Sizewell B station in south-east England, which is nearing completion. The UK Government's Health and Safety Executive are aware of the problem and have confirmed that it could not affect the plant's primary protection system.
