HC Deb 16 January 1992 vol 201 c615W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what provisions have been made for the long-term storage, management or disposal of(a) high, intermediate and low-level radioactive wastes arising from foreign reprocessing contracts signed by British Nuclear Fuels plc up to 31 December 1975 and (b) low level radioactive waste arising from foreign reprocessing contracts signed by British Nuclear Fuels plc since 1 January 1976 for processing of spent nuclear fuel in the thermal oxide reprocessing plant at Sellafield.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

All wastes arising from overseas reprocessing contracts signed by British Nuclear Fuels plc before 1976 will be dealt with in accordance with the United Kingdom's national waste strategy.

Since 1976, contracts for reprocessing overseas spent fuel have contained options for the return of wastes. The Government intend that these options will be exercised and wastes returned. As envisaged in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) on 2 May 1986 at columns 500–01, the option of substituting for less radioactive wastes an equivalent quantity, in radiological terms, of higher level wastes is being considered.

Any low-level wastes retained as a result of such substitution would be disposed of in the same way as equivalent United Kingdom waste.

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