Westminster diary

THE COSTS of dealing with the unwanted products of the nuclear
age—radioactive wastes, spent reactor fuel and redundant nuclear
structures— are collectively known as nuclear liabilities. Trade and
Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt recently told MPs that the government intends
to transfer the liabilities of British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) and the UK Atomic
Energy Authority to a new body, the Liabilities Management Authority. The LMA,
she said, will be responsible “for systematically and progressively reducing the
hazard posed by legacy facilities and wastes”, and will have a specific remit to
develop an overall strategy for decommissioning and cleaning up Britain’s…