§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what procedures exist for the reclassification of high-level nuclear waste as intermediate-level waste; 83W what is his best estimate of the length of time required to pass before such reclassification is scientifically justified; who is empowered to take such a decision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryNo procedures exist for the reclassification of high-level radioactive waste as intermeddiate-level radioactive waste. The Radioactive Substances Act 1960 requires that radioactive waste must be authorised by the appropriate regulatory authorities for disposal. They will specify the means of disposal. Further information on the Government's policy for the84W management of radioactive waste is set out in the Government's recent Environment White Paper, "This Common Inheritance".
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research has been conducted into the technical feasibility of disposing of the nuclear waste which is currently defined as high-level waste in the deep repository which is currently planned for intermediate-level waste disposal; and what research is planned.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryNo such research is planned as there are no proposals to dispose of high-level radioactive waste in any repository for intermediate-level radioactive waste.