§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether a total audit and cost estimate of all Britain's nuclear waste liabilities has been completed. [105592]
§ Mr. WilsonThe government White Paper Managing the Nuclear Legacy—A strategy for action estimated the cost of dealing with the UK's civil public sector liabilities to be £48 billion (undiscounted) as at March 2002.
As part of the process of preparing the ground for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) the Liabilities Management Unit within DTI is acquiring a detailed knowledge of BNFL and UKAEA liabilities.
§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated total cost of storing Britain's nuclear waste will be each year once a single storage sight has been agreed. [105594]
§ Mr. WilsonThe cost of storing Britain's nuclear waste in future will depend on the long-term management strategy we adopt. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said in her letter to you dated 29 July 2002 that the Government and the devolved administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would set up a new independent body to recommend a long term strategy for managing UK radioactive waste. This708W process will indicate whether any new waste facilities or sites are needed. DEFRA has now advertised for a Chair and Members of this new Committee on Radioactive Waste Management. Applications are due by 2 May 2003. My right hon. Friend hopes to receive its recommendations by 2006 or sooner.