§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will receive a delegation from the new national organisation Britain Against Nuclar Dumping; and if he will delay the proposed special development order until it has had the opportunity to put the case against any such order.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI or one of my hon. Friends, will be happy to receive on behalf of my right hon. Friend, a delegation led by the hon. Member, if possible before the SDO is laid before the House.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect of a special development order allowing exploration for nuclear waste dumps on the development and industrial prospects of the areas concerned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI would not expect geological explorations to have adverse effects on the areas concerned. These works do not commit NIREX or the Government to the development of a disposal facility. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 April at column29.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is yet in a position to say when he proposes to reply to the report of the Environment Committee on nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe Government's response to the Environment Committee's Report will be made as soon as possible.