§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of the statement by the chairman of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Dr. Walter Marshall, that high level radioactive waste should not be buried but remain accessible for 100 years, he will now direct the authority to cease all exploratory drilling operations for waste burial.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThis research programme, which is undertaken on behalf of the environment departments, is kept continuously under review in the light of additional knowledge and advice.
§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what procedures are in operation to monitor radioactive emissions from the Barnfield Road depot, Swindon, arising from the burning of radioactive wastes at the depot;
487W(2) what consultations took place before authorisation was given for the burning of radioactive wastes at Barnfield Road depot, Swindon; and who were the persons or bodies he consulted;
(3) what authorisations he has given for the disposal of radioactive wastes at Wiltshire county council's refuse disposal unit at Barnfield Road, Swindon.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe disposal by burning of low-level radioactive waste at the refuse incineration plant, Barnfield Road, Swindon by the Wiltshire county council is authorised under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. The authorisation is subject to a condition limiting the activity level of the amounts burnt on the premises in any one day. Monitoring is carried out periodically by the Department's radio-chemical inspectorate and the Department is satisfied with the position. Before the authorisation was granted the county council was formally consulted and accepted the proposed limitations and conditions. No other body was consulted although a copy of the authorisation was sent subsequently to Thamesdown borough council. Roussel Laboratories Ltd. is the only undertaking in the county authorised to dispose of radioactive waste to the incinerator.
§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites in Wiltshire where authorisation has been given for the disposal of radioactive wastes.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe only waste disposal site in Wiltshire authorised for the disposal of radioactive waste is Wiltshire county council's refuse incineration plant at Barnfield Road, Swindon. There are, of course, other kinds of premises in the county, such as certain industrial sites and hospitals, authorised for radioactive waste disposal. Waste disposed of at these sites are of such low activity that no special measures are required to effect their disposal.