HC Deb 18 July 1983 vol 46 c36W
Mr. Freeson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will reconsider the proposal to restart the disposal of nuclear waste products in the Atlantic on 11 July.

Mr. MacGregor

I am satisfied that there is no scientific justification for withdrawing the licence that I have issued under the Dumping at Sea Act 1974 for this year's proposed operation to dump low-level radioactive waste at sea. The precise timing of any dumping operation is a matter for the licence holder.

Mr. Freeson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why Her Majesty's Government abstained on the motion passed at the London dumping convention in February calling for a two-year moratorium on sea disposal of nuclear wastes.

Mr. MacGregor

The United Kingdom voted against the motion proposing a voluntary two-year moratorium because this was against the policy of Her Majesty's Government and against the spirit of the convention. It called on contracting parties to take action contrary to the spirit of article VX(2) of the convention and to the agreed procedures for amending its annexes.

Mr. Freeson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific analysis of dumping of nuclear waste products at sea has been carried out; with what results; and what further studies are proposed.

Mr. MacGregor

My Department's fisheries radiobiological laboratory has been conducting research into the effects of radioactivity on the marine environment for some 35 years. The laboratory also has access to relevant work undertaken by other organisations here and abroad. In addition, the United Kingdom has been taking an active part in the co-ordinated international research programme on the Atlantic dumping site currently being carried out under the auspices of the Nuclear Energy Agency.

The resulting scientific information concludes that current dumping practices are safe and do not pose any significant risk to human health or to the marine environment.

The Department's research programme will, of course, continue and the United Kingdom will also participate in the forthcoming scientific review to be undertaken by contracting parties to the London dumping convention in consultation with other expert international bodies.