§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he envisages that objectors to the dumping of nuclear waste on underground, inland sites should be permitted to raise objections in principle to any dumping programme at a public inquiry into a refusal of permission to sink boreholes, or only at a public inquiry into any future application to store waste in a specific area; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FoxA wide-ranging inquiry into disposal of high level radioactive waste underground can be held only if and when proposals for this are submitted in the light of results of the present programme of geological research.
However, it will be for the inspector holding any inquiry into a refusal of permission for the sinking of exploratory boreholes to decide what evidence will be admissible in this connection. Where appropriate, a pre-inquiry meeting will be held so that he can determine in advance which issues are going to be relevant in a particular case.