§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is with regard to importing radioactive waste from overseas countries; and if he will make a statement. [146045]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 18 January 2001]: The Government's policy is that radioactive waste should not be imported or exported from the UK. Subject to approval by the Environment Agency, some exceptions can, however, be made. These are for the recovery of reusable materials provided that this is the genuine prime purpose; for treatment that will make subsequent storage and disposal of the waste more manageable; for treatment and disposal of spent sources which were manufactured in the UK; or waste from small users (such as hospitals). Such imports should only be considered until the earliest time that the exporting countries can feasibly be expected to put in place their own treatment facilities.
Since 1976, all contracts to reprocess foreign spent fuel have included an option for the return of the resulting waste to the country of origin. As far as high level waste is concerned, this should be as soon as practicable after vitrification.
§ Ms Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many waste management licences have been revoked because of breaches of the Environment Protection Act 1990 in the last six years. [148723]
Mr. Robert AinsworthSince the establishment of the Environment Agency in April 1996, six waste management licences have been fully revoked under section 38(4) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Agency's powers of revocation may be used in the circumstances set out in section 38(1) of the 1990 Act. Data on licence revocations before April 1996 are not held centrally.