TABLE AEA Technology is today due to announce details of the job
losses at Dounreay which will result from the Government's decision to
pull out of the European Fast Reactor project.
The move, which signals the wind-up of Britain's fast breeder nuclear
reactor programme, has been condemned as premature and short-sighted by
management and unions within the industry.
The pull-out will cost an estimated 400 jobs at AEA sites, with half
going at Risley in the North of England. It is understood to involve the
loss of 40 jobs at Dounreay when the EFR funding is removed next March
and a further 40 on top of the 200-plus which will go when Dounreay's
Prototype Fast Reactor closes in March 1994.
Speculation that the EFR decision could involve an earlier than
planned closure of the prototype reactor appears to be unfounded. The
workforces at the AEA sites heard of the implications of the EFR
decision yesterday.
Atomic Energy Authority chief executive Brian Eyre told the unions
that the Government was ''terminating #12.87m of support for fast
reactor research and development at the end of March 1993''.
An AEA spokesman said he could not comment on the scale of the job
losses as the Department of Trade and Industry had yet formally to
announce that the EFR project is being ended. A statement is expected
today.
Mr Paul Foster, chairman of AEA staff unions, said: ''Our members are
outraged at the way this news has been mishandled.
''They have learned of the loss of their jobs through leaked stories
in the media rather than a formal announcement by the Department of
Trade and Industry.''
Dr Lewis Moonie, Labour MP for Kirkcaldy, said: ''This is part of the
cuts in the DTI spending as a result of the Autumn Statement.
''Whatever we say about commercial generation of nuclear power, we
must continue to carry out research for the future.
''This decision has very serious implications for our research into a
vital area. We will be passing our know-how over to other countries who
will continue to build on our expertise. They will get the benefit of it
-- and we won't.''
Scottish Nationalist Parliamentary leader Margaret Ewing said:
''Scotland cannot stand another round of job cuts. This is a time to
invest in research into long-term, environmentally friendly energy
production.''
The issue was raised in the Commons last night by Labour MP Adam
Ingram shortly before Chancellor Norman Lamont opened the debate on his
Autumn Statement.
The MP for East Kilbride said withdrawal from the project would
pre-empt the Government's review of energy policy.
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