HC Deb 22 May 1978 vol 950 cc441-2W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has reached any further conclusions on paragraph 20 (Nuclear Waste Disposal Corporation) of Command Paper No. 6820.

Mr. Shore

The Government are still reviewing the current arrangements for controlling radioactive waste. We shall seek the advice of the Radioactive Waste Management Committee before reaching a decision on the establishment of a Nuclear Waste Disposal Corporation.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government propose to contribute to the cost of a pilot plant for the vitrification of highly radioactive nuclear waste to be constructed by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd., at Windscale; and whether the Central Electricity Generating Board and South of Scotland Electricity Board will be called up as operators of nuclear power stations to provide a percentage of the capital and operating costs.

Mr. Eadie

I have been asked to reply.

British Nuclear Fuels Ltd., the generating boards and the AEA are putting forward proposals for financing the vitrification programme up to the point at which a full-scale plant is constructed at Wind-scale. These will be considered.