HC Deb 26 October 1983 vol 47 cc121-2W
Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which areas have been included on the list as possible sites for the disposal of intermediate nuclear waste; and if there have been any changes in the list prior to field studies being undertaken.

Mr. Waldegrave

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend yesterday — [Vol. 47, c. 156–157]— which mentioned two sites identified by the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive for further investigation. The sifting of sites in order to identify potentially suitable ones is a matter for NIREX. When it reaches the stage of putting forward proposals to develop a waste disposal facility, the case for the proposed site will be fully examined at a public inquiry, as well as being scrutinised by the regulatory bodies from the standpoint of safety and radiological protection.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans for the dumping of plutonium of high or medium-level nuclear waste at sea; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

The planning of operations to dispose of radioactive waste at sea is a matter for the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive. However, such operations have to be authorised and licensed by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Because the disposal of high-level radioactive waste, as currently defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency, is not permitted under the terms of the London convention, no operation involving such waste would be authorised or licensed. However, radioactive waste, including plutonium-contaminated material, which falls outside the IAEA definition of high-level waste may be legitimately disposed of at sea. In the absence of authoritative scientific advice that sea disposal within the terms of the London convention poses a real risk to human health, or is likely to cause significant and permanent damage to the environment, this disposal method continues to form part of the national strategy for radioactive waste management.