§ Mr. Frank Cookasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to make a special development order for the geological examination of the site at Elstow in Bedfordshire and any additional sites proposed by the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive for the disposal of intermediate level radioactive waste.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. Friend expects to be able to do so in the autumn in respect of sites for a facility for shorter-lived wastes, after NIREX has announced the additional sites to Elstow, and my Department has undertaken appropriate consultations about the drafting of the order.
§ Mr. Frank Cookasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an indication of the likely date of the announcement of sites identified by the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive for the potential disposal below ground of intermediate level radioactive waste; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveFor a deep underground facility, NIREX has been asked to search for at least three alternative sites, but it is not possible to say at this stage when it will be in a position to make an announcement.
§ Mr. Frank Cookasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he now expects the investigation currently being carried out by his Department into the best practicable environmental options for nuclear waste management to be completed;
(2) when the investigation currently being carried out by his Department into the best practicable environmental options for nuclear waste management is due to be completed.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI expect the study of the best practicable environmental options to be duly completed by the end of the year.