§ Mr. McGuireasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is satisfied that the present arrangements for the disposal of radioactive waste will be adequate to cope with the greater quantity that will be produced when the number of nuclear power stations increases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacCollThe disposal of the relatively small amounts of waste which arise from the day-to-day operation of the stations presents no great problem. The principal solid and liquid radioactive wastes derive not from the operation of the stations themselves but from the processing of the irradiated fuel elements. These are withdrawn from the reactors from time to time and sent to the Atomic Energy Authority's Windscale Works, where they are processed in a special treatment plant.
My right hon. Friend is satisfied that these arrangements will be adequate to meet demands arising from any foreseeable increase in the number of nuclear power stations.