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.