§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what technical conditioning and packaging specifications have been established as necessary by foreign energy utilities in respect of the consignments of radioactive reprocessing wastes due to be returned to countries of origin following reprocessing of foreign spent fuel. [25067]
§ Mr. BattlePackaging requirements for operational wastes arising from reprocessing will be determined in detail by the specifications of the wastes to be returned. These vary according to the particular fuel reprocessed, although they are broadly similar for each category of waste. Details of individual waste specifications are confidential to the organisations concerned. However, all waste transport packages will comply with the relevant internationally agreed safety requirements.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what terms of acceptance were agreed upon by60W (a) British Nuclear Fuels and (b) the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority for the return of radioactive waste arising from reprocessing. [25068]
§ Mr. BattleDetails of the contracts between United Kingdom reprocessing companies and their customers are confidential to those organisations.
However, all reprocessing contracts signed since 1976 contain options for BNFL to return operational wastes to the country of origin. Government policy is that the options should be exercised and that the wastes should be returned.