§ Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the light of the proposal by Laporte Chemical Industries to dump 6,000 tons of radioactive waste on a privately owned site at Rainham, Esesx, he has any plans to seek to amend the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 to give greater protection to nearby residents in the vicinity of such sites; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarksI am fully satisfied that the disposal of radioactive waste in accordance with the present controls does not cause any hazard to the public or the environment. Low level waste has been safely disposed of to local landfill sites for a considerable number of years. Each disposal is authorised after consultations with the local authority and the water authority and after inspection by my radiochemical inspectors. I have no plans to amend the Radioactive Substances Act.