HC Deb 09 July 1987 vol 119 cc221-2W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what costs have been incurred on the site of South Killingholme since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste;

(2) what costs have been incurred on the site of Elstow since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste;

(3) what costs have been incurred on the site of Bradwell since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste;

Mr. Ridley

On 1 June 1987 my Department employed 6,486 staff in the Department of the Environment (central) and 19,012 in the Property Services Agency. My Department's estimates for 1987–88 include provision for £147.7 million running costs expenditure by the Department of the Environment (central) and £333.7 million by the Property Services Agency. The regional breakdown of the totals is:

(4) what costs have been incurred on the site of Fullback since the announcement that the Government were not going to use shallow tunnel disposal of nuclear waste.

Mr. Moynihan

£5 million is the estimated total of the costs that will be incurred at all four sites from the announcement on 1 May until the final reinstatement of the sites.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the contracts between NIREX and various contractors for the exploration of sites considered for nuclear dumping include penalty clauses if the contract is cancelled by either side.

Mr. Moynihan

No.