§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is now in a position to announce the further sites for consideration for the reception of low and intermediate level nuclear wastes.
§ Mr. WaldegraveNo. However, I expect NIREX to be in a position in a few months' time to announce alternative possible sites for shorter-lived wastes.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether population density is a criterion in site selection for a nuclear repository; and whether it is regarded as a radiological or a planning consideration.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe radiological requirements are set out in the publication, "Disposal facilities on land for low and intermediate-level radioactive wastes: principles for the protection of the human environment" (HMSO 1984) and the developer will be expected to show that the facility will comply with them, both for existing and for future populations. Current population density will be one relevant planning consideration, and will be covered in the environmental assessment NIREX will be required to prepare for each site.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment for what reason he abandoned the initial public inquiry announced in his statement in the Official Report, 25 October, column 154, and replaced it by a special development order in a further statement on 24 January, Official Report, column 1146.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe situation has been changed by my right hon. Friend's further request to NIREX to investigate at least three possible sites for each type of disposal facility. It would be unnecessarily time-consuming and repetitious to have a number of separate local inquiries of limited scope into geological investigations. The revised procedure, incorporating a special development order, will avoid such unnecessary delay and uncertainty, and will also provide an opportunity for a debate in Parliament.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the study on disposal and storage options by his Department, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee to determine the best practical environmental option is due to report; and whether the report will be published.
§ Mr. WaldegraveA report will be published after the necessary studies have been completed later this year.