HL Deb 27 July 1959 vol 218 cc541-2

2.42 p.m.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is anticipated that the increased use of nuclear power, whether for ships or for power stations, will increase to an appreciable extent the radio-active content of the seas; whether this aspect of the question has so far received international consideration; how it is proposed that radio-active waste should be disposed of, and whether it is intended to bring this aspect of the matter before the nations of the world in order to receive international agreement.]

THE MINISTER OF POWER (LORD MILLS)

My Lords, I am advised that it is not expected that the increased use of nuclear power, whether for ships or for power stations, will increase to an appreciable extent the radio-active content of the seas. The problem of possible pollution of the seas by radioactive waste was raised at the 1958 United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, and, in accordance with the recommendation of the Conference, the International Atomic Energy Agency is engaged on a study of the disposal of radio-active waste to the sea with a view to the possibility of international agreement on methods of disposal.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his interesting Answer.

LORD WINSTER

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord if it is not the case that a Committee in America has examined this subject and has reported that only in a practically inconceivable combination of circumstances could danger from this cause arise—that is to say, from the introduction of nuclear-powered ships at sea?

LORD MILLS

My Lords, I believe that to be the case; and I believe it is also the case that there is little danger, if any, from nuclear-powered ships at sea.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord one other question? There have been references to the possibility of disposing of radio-active waste in certain mines in this country. May we take it that no further suggestions of that sort will be raised?

LORD MILLS

My Lords, I have no information on that subject I would be inclined to disbelieve it if I had.