Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list his statutory responsibilities and functions under the Radioactive Substances Acts in respect of considering justification for operating a thermal oxide reprocessing plant; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoUnder section 12A of the Radioactive Substances Act 1960, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has power to direct the chief inspector to refuse an application for an authorisation to dispose of radioactive waste, or to direct him to grant such an authorisation subject to limitations or conditions, if any, as my right hon. Friend may specify in the direction. Under section 12B my right hon. Friend has power to require the chief inspector to refer an application to him so that he may determine it.
The Act does not refer to the matters which my right hon. Friend is to take into account in considering whether, and if so how, to exercise these powers.
Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the period of consultation over the justification for operating THORP will formally begin; when it will end; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoMy right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will go out to consultation when they have the further information and material referred to in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson) on 28 June,Official Report, column 392. The consultation period is expected to last two months.