§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the methods of disposal of radioactive waste currently used by the nuclear reactor installations in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe principal radioactive wastes from nuclear reactor installations are gaseous and liquid. Gaseous discharges, after treatment where necessary, are released to the atmosphere. Liquid wastes, after treatment where necessary, are diluted by cooling water before being discharged direct to water-courses or the sea. In one case they are discharged to a lake and, in the case of some minor installations, to sewers. Low activity solid waste, which is well below the level of any danger to the public, is sometimes disposed of to local tips.
All disposals are subject to authorisations granted by the appropriate Ministers which restrict them to levels which ensure that no public health hazard arises; and to cover no more than the essential requirements of the installation concerned.
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many acres of land are currently sterilised by use as dumping areas for radioactive waste in West Cumberland 239W and Great Britain as a whole; at what annual rate the total area is growing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThe areas currently reserved for this purpose total about 250 acres in West Cumberland-only a small part of which is actually in use—and 10 acres elsewhere. There are no plans at present to extend these areas.