HC Deb 05 November 1996 vol 284 cc462-3W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans the United Kingdom has to put onto the agenda of(a) the United Nations General Assembly and (b) the United Nations Environment Programme the issue of the environmental implications of the planned extended use of mixed oxide plutonium-based nuclear fuel in reactors; [1819]

(2) what plans he has to raise at the next European Environment Council meeting the environmental implications for (a) European Union member states and (b) non-European Union member states trading with the United Kingdom in nuclear fuels of the extension of the use of mixed oxide nuclear fuel in the European Union. [1820]

Mr. Clappison

The Government have no plans to place the environmental implications of the extended use of mixed oxide nuclear fuel on the agenda for the United Nations General Assembly or the United Nations Environment Programme, or to raise the issue at the next European Environment Council meeting.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which reports have been placed before the EU Environmental Council on the implications for environmental protection of the decision of the Transport Council in October to accept a new code of control covering irradiated nuclear fuel. [1818]

Mr. Clappison

No reports have been placed before the EU Environment Council on this matter.