§ Mr. D. E Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether environmental impact analysis will be utilised in assessing the proposal to deposit high level radioactive wastes in geological formations in Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThere is at present no proposal to deposit high level radioactive waste in geological formations in Wales and it is premature to speculate on what form of environmental assessment might be appropriate if such a proposal were put forward at a much later date.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what criteria are employed by his Department in selecting areas for surface reconnaissance to assess sites for the storage of high level radioactive waste.
722W
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe selection was made by the Institute of Geological Sciences which applied internationally-accepted geological criteria, together with further desk studies related to rocks, in order to identify areas which contain examples of the geological formations suitable for investigation. The four areas—three in England, one in Wales—announced on 17 January are those on which desk studies are most advanced.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the cost of (a) surface reconnaissance, (b) the borehole programme and (c) a public inquiry into any proposals to deposit high level radioactive waste in mid-Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI shall write to the hon. Member about the estimated cost of surface reconnaissance. If a borehole programme proceeds, its cost would be subject to tender. There are no proposals to deposit high level radioactive waste in Wales and therefore the third part of the question is hypothetical.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the proposed duration of the surface reconnaissance to assess sites for the storage of high level radioactive nuclear waste in Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI understand that the Institute of Geological Sciences expects to complete the surface reconnaissance in mid-Wales within six months.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects surface reconnaissance to begin in mid-Wales as part of the project to assess sites for the depositing of high level radioactive waste.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI understand that the Institute of Geological Sciences expects to start surface reconnaissance in mid-Wales for the programme of investigation into geological research connected with the underground disposal of radioactive waste shortly.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales why his Department was not represented on the expert group on the revision of "The Control of Radioactive Wastes" in view of his Department's intention to undertake a 723W survey of sites to deposit high level radioactive waste in Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe Welsh Office's interests on the expert group were represented by the radiochemical inspectorate which advises my right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on matters relating to radioactive wastes.