§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are(a) the objectives and (b) the terms of reference of the study into the disposal of high-level waste and spent nuclear fuel being undertaken on behalf of his Department by QuantiSci Ltd. [6413]
§ Angela EagleA copy of the Work Requirement Statement issued for the study awarded to QuantiSci Ltd. has been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which consultants have been commissioned to review United Kingdom high-level nuclear waste management; and if they have previously been employed by UK Nirex Ltd. [6399]
§ Angela EagleThe only current study into high level waste that has been commissioned by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions is that of research strategies for the disposal of high level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. This was awarded to QuantiSci Ltd., who have worked previously for Nirex.
§ Mr. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions that quantity of fissile material UK Nirex proposes to bury underground in the United Kingdom. [6400]
§ Angela EagleA large number of low and intermediate level radioactive waste streams are contaminated with fissile material. The two predominant fissile isotopes are plutonium-239 and uranium-235. Latest estimates of the quantities to be disposed of are 11.7 petabecquerels and 1.33 terabecquerels respectively in terms of activity and 5 and 17 tonnes respectively in terms of mass. These isotopes account for less than 0.01 per cent. of the total mass of the waste.