§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, what are the outstanding problems encountered by experiments involving vitrification for incorporating radioactive waste in cylindrical flasks.
§ Mr. FoxThe next step in the development of vitrification of highly active radioactive waste is the construction of a demonstration production plant at BNFL's Windscale works. The outstanding issues76W public money spent, on the raising and lowering of flagstaffs in Parliament Square, the Mall and elsewhere for ceremonial occasions; what would be the saving of public funds if such flagstaffs were allowed to remain upright as in many other capitals of the world; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Monro[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 1980, c. 252–3]: The expected costs of raising and lowering of flagpoles for various occasions in the financial year 1979–80 are as follows:
relate principally to the detailed specification of the plant and to obtaining the necessary practical experience.