§ Lord HYLTONasked Her Majesty's Government:
To what extent plans for the underground disposal of nuclear waste have been retarded by the recent earthquake.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT of THE ENVIRONMENT (Lord Bellwin)The Government have no plans for the underground disposal of nuclear waste. The Department of the Environment is co-ordinating a comprehensive research programme to assess whether it would be feasible to dispose of such waste, solidified, in suitable geological formations. The research programme has always included specific study of seismic factors. In particular it will cover the extent of any fracturing attributable to earth tremors.