MP welcomes White Paper

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 4th Jul 2002

Local MP John Thurso has welcomed publication today of the White Paper, "Managing the Nuclear Legacy" which gives further details of the Government's proposals for the creation of the Liabilities Management Authority (LMA).

The MP said:

"It was important for the Government to publish its detailed thinking in respect of the LMA as quickly as possible in order to avoid uncertainty and I am therefore pleased that the Paper has been published before the Parliamentary Recess. In particular, I welcome the Government's commitment to protect the position of UKAEA employees responsible for the day to day operation of individual sites which will, I am sure, be reassuring to employees at Dounreay.

The Government has also stated its intention that the LMA should maintain a presence at all its major sites, as well as establishing a corporate head office. I shall continue to press the case for such an office to be based in the North.

The White Paper makes clear that the UKAEA will have the opportunity to demonstrate that it should be the supplier of choice to the LMA for the management of its current sites. Dounreay has demonstrated its commitment to decommissioning excellence and I would therefore hope that this is a significant opportunity for the Authority to remain a key player for the future."