§ Mr. Langasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what sums are now 570W being spent annually on research in the United Kingdom into the disposal of nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FoxThe Secretary of State for the Environment funds a United Kingdom programme of radioactive waste management research. The cost of the programme in the financial year 1978–79 was £3.3 million and is expected to be £5 million in 1979–80. Some of this expenditure relates to programmes jointly funded with the EEC, which contributed an additional £0.5 million in 1978–79. The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. and the electricity industry also have substantial research programmes on radioactive waste management.