HL Deb 28 July 1999 vol 604 cc1524-6

3.5 p.m.

Lord Tombs asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to publish their response to the report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology on The Management of Nuclear Waste (HL Paper 41), published on 24th March.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)

My Lords, the Government will publish a response shortly. However, I can indicate that the Government agree with the Select Committee that there is a need for widespread consultation before a final decision is reached on the most appropriate option for the management of radioactive waste. We shall want to study the results of a consultation exercise, which we intend to launch early next year, before coming to a final view.

Lord Tombs

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. The response has been imminent for about three months, so any movement is welcome. Perhaps I may remind the Minister that the report deals not only with consultation but with what is described as a fragmented nuclear waste disposal policy, and contains a number of substantial recommendations other than those for public consultation, important though they are. Among them are the classification of particular wastes, including plutonium, and the increased involvement of the Environment Agency. Can the Minister use his influence to ensure that the response, when it finally arrives, is as purposeful and constructive as the importance of the topic requires?

Lord Whitty

My Lords, I fully concur that this is an important subject. It is for that reason that we wish to discuss widely with users and operators in the nuclear industry the conclusions of the Select Committee. I assure the noble Lord that the views of his committee will be taken very seriously. Both the institutional aspects and operational aspects will meet with a positive government response.

Lord Hoyle

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that our policy on the management of all nuclear waste should be one that is acceptable to the public? We must not again waste £450 million, as was the case with Nirex, without finding the right solution. Would he also consider not closing all our options concerning plutonium? One tonne of plutonium is the energy equivalent of 2 million tonnes of coal.

Lord Whitty

My Lords, as regards the first point raised by my noble friend, it is clear that a substantial amount of time and resources were expended by Nirex on looking at locations. Nirex is continuing with generic research concerned with deep disposal of radioactive waste. However, it is not currently engaged on site selection activities. If geological disposal is the chosen management option, the process of site selection should, from there on, be as open as possible. As pointed out by my noble friend, the significance of plutonium as an energy source is important. However, whatever the decisions on the future of nuclear energy, some plutonium will be waste and therefore has to be covered in the waste management regime.

Lord Craig of Radley

My Lords, does the noble Lord the Minister agree that the goodwill and support of the West Cumbrian community is based on the continued activities at Sellafield and in particular the continuation of the reprocessing business, which is so important to local earnings and to BNFL's prosperity?

Lord Whitty

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister recently made clear our continuous support to the operation of THORP which brings in £12 billion and the operation in West Cumbria, which employs 6,000 or 7,000 skilled workers. It is therefore important economically, as well as technically, that that technology is maintained.

Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish

My Lords, does the Minister agree that one of the problems the nuclear industry faces is the management of nuclear waste, and that therefore it is vital that the question be properly addressed? Does he further agree that if we do not continue with power generated by nuclear means and revert to using fossil fuels, the Government will have absolutely no chance of meeting their Kyoto targets on fossil fuel gases?

Lord Whitty

My Lords, I do not completely share that conclusion. The Government continue to see the generation of electricity by nuclear means in the existing power stations as a substantial contribution to meeting our energy needs. As the noble Lord will know, about 25 per cent of our electricity is currently generated by nuclear sources. The noble Lord will also know that the last government took a decision, which we have continued to follow, that there is no immediate need to commission new nuclear power stations. That remains the position.