HC Deb 26 March 1973 vol 853 c219W
Mr. Eadie

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the present calculation of radioactive waste, in cubic metres, annually as a result of nuclear power plants; and what is the expected increase during the seventies.

Mr. Tom Boardman

The reprocessing of fuel from nuclear power stations is at present giving rise to concentrated liquid wastes at the rate of about 60 cubic metres a year and significantly contaminated solids at the rate of about 500 cubic metres a year. By 1980 the former figure is likely to increase to an average of about 100 cubic metres a year: the total volume in store at 1980 is not expected to exceed 1,200 cubic metres. The rate of accumulation of contaminated solids is dependent on the type of fuel to be processed, as well as on its volume, but might double over the same period.