§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tonnes of radioactive waste from the United Kingdom have been dumped at sea for each year since 1966; how many curies this represented in each case; and what sites were used.
§ Mr. FoxSince 1966, 26,031 tonnes of packages containing solid, low activity radioactive waste from the United Kingdom have been dumped in the North-East Atlantic. The total alpha radioactivity in the waste at the time of dumping was 8,279 curies and the beta-gamma radioactivity 578,845 curies. The annual figures are given in the following table. In the years 1966, 1968 and 1970 dumping took place in an area centred on latitude 48°N longitude 13°W; in 1967 in an area centred on 43°N 14°W; and in 1969 in an area centred on 49°N 17°W. Since 1971 dumping has taken place in an area centred on 46°N 17°W.
Year Weight of packages Radioactivity in waste at time of dumping (curies) (tonnes) alpha beta/gamma 1966 1,044 78 2,742 1967 722 91 1,682 1968 3,165 731 74,837 1969 1,878 390 17,590 1970 1,674 233 20,224 1971 2,200 325 8,989 1972 1,885 674 19,049 1973 1,453 739 11,641 1974 1,256 399 94,126 1975 2,251 705 52,971 1976 2,269 789 49,777 1977 2,140 930 74,830 1978 2,080 814 69,307 1979 2,014 1,381 81,080 Total 26,031 8,279 578,845
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the radioactive waste dumped at sea in each year since 1966 has emanated from the United Kingdom; and who is responsible for overseeing this dumping.
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§ Mr. FoxThe following is the information in respect of member States of the Nuclear Energy Agency:
Year Weight of packages Radioactivity in waste at time of dumping (curies) (tonnes) alpha beta/gamma Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 1966 100 100 100 1967 7 36 22 1968 100 100 100 1969 20 78 80 1970 100 100 100 1971 55 52 80 1972 46 99 88 1973 69 96 99 1974 55 96 94 1975 50 90 88 1976 34 90 93 1977 38 97 98 1978 26 74 87 1979 37 98 98 The sea dumping of radioactive waste is subject to authorisation by the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the provisions of the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 and the granting of a licence by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the provisions of the Dumping at Sea Act 1974. The OECD also maintains a consultation and surveillance mechanism.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he is having to stop the dumping of radioactive waste at sea; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FoxSea dumping of low level radioactive waste is carried out in full accordance with the provisions of the London dumping convention and the OECD multilateral consultation and surveillance mechanism. The future of sea dumping is discussed from time to time in these and other international fora
It is United Kingdom policy to dispose of radioactive wastes when and where it is safe to do so. Sea dumping is one such method.