From the Chairman of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
Sir, The Government asked for our advice on the proposed sale of British Nuclear Group by British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL), and at our December meeting the NDA board reached a unanimous position on that advice, which included the conditions around which it could support a sale. Claims, therefore, that there is a division within the NDA on this subject (Business, Feb 3) are incorrect.
When one considers what it is that BNFL is actually proposing to sell, it becomes clear that the primary asset is the initial contracts that British Nuclear Group has with the NDA to operate and decommission Sellafield and the 11 Magnox stations. Given that the NDA has been set up to create a competitive market in decommissioning it is little wonder that we should take a keen interest in a possible sale that would see a new company taking on our contracts.
Nevertheless, it is ultimately a decision for Government and not the NDA.
SIR ANTHONY CLEAVER
London SW1