§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what volume of (a) low-level nuclear waste and (b) intermediate level nuclear waste has arisen from the reprocessing of (i) spent Magnox nuclear fuel imported from the Latina nuclear station in Italy and (ii) spent Magnox nuclear fuel imported from the Tokai Mura nuclear station in Japan;
(2) where the nuclear waste arising from the reprocessing of spent Magnox nuclear fuel from (a) Japan and (b) Italy is currently stored; and what specific plans there are to return (i) low-, (ii) intermediate- and (iii) high-level waste to the respective countries of origin.
§ Mr. GoodladThe quantities of low-level radioactive waste attributable to the reprocessing of spent fuel from these reactors was given in my reply of 27 November to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) at column302. The corresponding volumes of intermediate level waste are as follows:
cubic metres Italy 1,100 Japan 550 Wastes arising from the reprocessing of spent fuel are stored at Sellafield. The Government's policy with regard to the disposal of waste from the reprocessing of overseas spent fuel was given in my reply to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) of 2 May 1986 at column 502.
§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Energy what studies have been made into the technical feasibility and cost of retro fitting dry-storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel and the radioactive waste containment at each Magnox and advanced gas cooled reactor site in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. GoodladThe CEGB and SSEB have agreed to analyse the technical and economic aspects of backfitting dry-stores to Magnox stations following a recommendation that they should do so in the Environment Committee's report on radioactive waste. As far as the advanced gas cooled reactor stations are concerned, at the time of signing the new THORP contracts in April the CEGB and SSEB indicated their interest in building a dry buffer store for AGR spent fuel. Further studies by the boards are in hand.