§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about research 462W by bodies, other than the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive, into the safety of underground disposal of nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy Department commissions research on the long-term safety of underground disposal of nuclear waste and is advised by the independent United Kingdom Radioactive Waste Management Advisory committee on the adequacy of work undertaken by the nuclear industry and other bodies.
The United Kingdom also contributes to international research programmes of the Commission of the European Communities, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development/Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Authority. The results of research funded by my Department are published.
An annual report on my Department's research is available from the Department of the Environment publication sales unit, Victoria road, South Ruislip 4HQ 0NZ.