The UK Government has given assurances that efforts to clean up the Dounreay nuclear plant have “worked well” amid concerns about a similar project at Sellafield.
Ministers have stripped the Nuclear Management Partners (NMP) consortium of a £9billion contract at Sellafield following recommendations from regulators.
The group faced criticism over rising costs and delays from MPs and the National Audit Office.
Energy Secretary Ed Davey was called to the Commons yesterday to answer urgent questions on the issue.
John Thurso, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, asked for reassurance that there were no such concerns at Dounreay in his constituency.
The Liberal Democrat said: “This decision will not come as a great surprise to anybody who understands the legacy, complexity and size of Sellafield.
“The key requirement for any contract is the scoping beforehand, and that is particularly difficult at Sellafield.
“At Dounreay, where considerable scoping was possible prior to laying the contract, will my right honourable friend assure me and all those who work so well and effectively at Dounreay that, notwithstanding the slight adjustments currently being made, that contract is working well and his department has full confidence in the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the contract and the workers at Dounreay?”
Mr Davey responded: “When I visited Dounreay I was incredibly impressed by its workforce and management team and I know how much my right honourable friend has been supporting them over a considerable period.
“I can give him the reassurances he seeks. The contract has worked because it has been easier to specify the scope, as my right honourable friend rightly pointed out.
“As a result, significant efficiencies have been made and significant savings to the taxpayer have been accrued, so the model has worked well on that site.”