§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to make a decision on the application from Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd. to increase the level of radioactive waste the company is permitted to discharge. [17336]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 23 November 2001]: Under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, in England and Wales, the Environment Agency has the responsibility for considering applications to dispose of radioactive waste. The Secretaries of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and for Health have certain powers under the Act to decide applications themselves or to give directions to the agency. The Secretaries of State have received requests to use their statutory powers in relation to the application by Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd. These requests are currently under consideration and a decision will be reached as soon as possible.
851WThe Environment Agency has published its proposed decision on the application. This will not, however, be implemented before the Secretaries of State have decided whether to intervene.