§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of the nuclear waste to be reprocessed at Wind-scale will be from overseas countries.
§ Mr. EadieFuture overseas contracts for reprocessing nuclear fuel will contain provision for the radioactive wastes arising to be returned to the customer. Assuming contracts to reprocess a further 6,000 tonnes of oxide fuel for overseas customers, it is expected that by 1990 foreign fuel would represent some 20 per cent, of all the fuel reprocessed at Wind-scale.
§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Energy what dangers arise from the storage of nuclear waste prior to its being reprocessed.
§ Mr. EadieThe safety standards required in the design, construction and operation of all storage facilities for radioactive waste and irradiated fuel elements provide effective safeguards for workers and the public. The permitted levels of exposure to radiation are based on the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, which are endorsed in this country by the Medical Research Council, and they are set to ensure that no harm should be suffered by anyone. The safety standards8W are imposed by conditions attached to nuclear site licences granted by the Health and Safety Executive under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 and en-enforced by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.
§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will take steps to keep to a minimum the amount of nuclear waste to be reprocessed until it is established that the new processing technique is safe; and if he will consider holding up the signing of overseas contracts until this is proved.
§ Mr. EadieMy right hon. Friend will of course keep watch on the development of overseas fuel reprocessing business, but he does not think it necessary to impose specific restrictions. If reprocessing could not be carried out with an acceptable standard of safety it would not be undertaken. Oxide fuel received from overseas would be handled in plant similar to that used for reprocessing such fuel for the United Kingdom generating boards. The plants will be subject to safety requirements imposed by the Nuclear Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Eexecutive and I have no reason to doubt that they will be able to meet them.
§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will consider introducing more stringent regulations, similar to those being considered in the United States of America, to cover the reprocessing of nuclear waste.
§ Mr. EadieA comprehensive regime of safety control at all sites, including reprocessing plants, licensed under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, is already operated in this country. Under the Act the Health and Safety Executive is empowered, in the interests of safety, to attach conditions to nuclear site licences granted by the Executive and may impose, vary or revoke conditions at any time. The safety standards at licensed sites are kept uder continuous review and are modified as required. They are no less stringent than those applied or envisaged in the USA or elsewhere.