§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his reply of 29th June, why, since there is no radiological hazard to tip workers or members of the public, his Department felt it necessary to keep secret for more than 10 years the authorisation to the University of Salford to tip radioactive waste at the Lesley Road tip; why he failed to consult interested local bodies, including local residents living adjacent to the tip, about his recently published decision to authorise five additional agencies to tip radioactive garbage on the site; and if he will forthwith rescind this latest authorisation pending discussions with interested local bodies, including Trafford district council's environmental health committee, which have expressed themselves opposed to any further dumping of radioactive waste on the site.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe hon. Member is mistaken. There is no question of the University of Salford's authorisation having been kept secret. The then Stretford borough council was consulted before the first authorisation was issued in 1966, and was sent a copy of the relevant authorisation certificate.
Secondly, the Secretary of State has fully complied with the obligation placed on him by the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 with respect to consultation. It requires him to consult local authorities, statutory water undertakers, and so on, and such other public or local authorities as he considers should be consulted. In the case of the proposed authorisations for the other five institutions he has consulted the Greater Manchester county council, the Trafford borough council and the North West water authority.
184WThe hon. Member is also wrong in thinking that the Secretary of State has issued any of those authorisations. He is awaiting the response of the local authorities to the formal consultation.