A BURY MP has urged ministers to make sure the partial privatisation of British Nuclear Fuels does not leave the taxpayers picking up the cost for decommissioning power stations.

David Chaytor tackled Energy Minister John Battle in the Commons on the issue.

He called for full consultation on the plan and an assurance that the taxpayer will not lose out by the sale of the company at a knock down price.

He also asked Mr Battle to assure the House of Commons that whatever form private sector investment in BNFL takes, the lucrative side of business goes to the shareholders and the taxpayers are left with the bill for plutonium storage.

Safety

Mr Battle said: "There will be full consultation.

"There will be no cheap sale and I can give absolute assurances on health and safety at the plants.

"The changes will be good and beneficial.

"BNFL has world class technicians, technologists and scientists who can help to handle the legacy of the nuclear industry from the past 50 years.

"It is a world class business, and BNFL needs to be free to win the work and become a world leader in cleaning up and decommissioning nuclear plants from the latter half of this century."

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