§ 87. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give a date for the introduction of legislation regulating the disposal of radioactive waste from factories and laboratories.
§ Mr. SandysI am not aware that new legislation is needed. The disposal of radioactive waste from establishments of the Atomic Energy Authority is covered by the Atomic Energy Authority Act, 1954. Other factories and laboratories are subject to the general public health legislation with regard to the discharge of waste, and there is also power in Section 5 of the Radioactive Substances Act,1948, to make regulations to secure that radioactive waste is safely disposed of. The question whether regulations are needed is under consideration.