§ Mr. Beaumont-Darkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department will support research into methods of solidification of high-level radioactive waste in media other than borosilicate glass.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI have today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Australian Government covering collaboration between the United Kingdom and Australia on the Synroc process developed by Prof. Ringwood of the Australian national university. There are still many problems to be overcome before Synroc can be seen as a realistic option for the immobilisation of high-level liquid wastes and the aim is to establish a programme to produce samples of Synroc in the laboratory incorporating small quantities of such liquid wastes. This will permit further evaluation of Synroc's physical and chemical characteristics. The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority will be invited to carry out these studies.