Radioactive Waste (Hansard, 26 October 1993)

§ Mr. Llew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the state of the sea discharge pipeline for liquid radioactive waste from AEA Technology's nuclear facilities at Dounreay.

§ Sir Hector Monro
[holding answer 25 October 1993]: Discharges to sea from AEA Technology's facilities at Dounreay are regulated by means of an authorisation issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. Under the authorisation, discharges have to be within authorised limits and are required to be made through the main effluent pipeline. The authority is also required to maintain and keep in god repair the system by which the waste is discharged. Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate carries out regular inspections at the site and I am satisfied that these requirements are being met.

§ Mr. Llew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made by his Department in rectifying the environmental hazards posed by the Dounreay waste shaft, identified in the report commissioned by his Department from R. M. Consultants of Abingdon.

§ Sir Hector Monro
[holding answer 25 October 1993]: The Dounreay waste shaft, as presently managed, does not present an environmental hazard. As regards the longer-term options for the shaft, R. M. Consultants were asked to examine a number of possible management options. However, an unequivocal best option has not been identified and studies are being continued by AEA Technology.

§ Mr. Llew Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he commissioned the radiologocal research survey of the Solway coastal area from the Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre; how many copies of the report of the survey have been printed; to whom or to which organisations it has been distributed; and if he will publish a summary of the main finding of the survey.

§ Sir Hector Monro
[holding answer 25 October 1993]: The survey was commissioned in December 1992. The final report from the contractors is expected in December 1993 and will be pubished in accordance with normal Scottish Office practice. The report will contain a summary of the main findings and a copy of the report will be placed in the Library of the House.