§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what meetings he has had recently with Mr. David Lea of the Trades Union Congress committee on nuclear waste; what views were put to him there on disposal of nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Waldegrave[pursuant to his answer, 14 February 1986, c. 589]: I met Mr. Lea most recently on 11 February. He indicated the concern of the Trades Union Congress that the Government might announce potential sites for the disposal of low and intermediate level radioactive wastes at a time when a study of the best practicable environmental option (BPEO), which was directly relevant, was nearing completion. After discussion Mr. Lea agreed to the early publication of the BPEO study in the setting that this would have priority over any announcement on sites. I indicated that I understood the position of the Trades Union Congress, even though I was not in a position to make a specific commitment.