HC Deb 06 May 1986 vol 97 cc59-61W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the four sets of weightings for cost and radiological parameters as given in section 5.3 of the report on the "Assessment of the Best Practicable Environmental Options for Management of Low- and Intermediate-Level Solid Radioactive Waste" he proposes to recommend to the Nuclear Industry Radioactive Waste Executive.

Mr. Waldegrave

The results of the assessment are being taken into account in developing the Government's policy for radioactive waste management. It is, however, neither necessary nor advisable to recommend to UK NIREX Ltd. any one set of precise weightings on costs and parameters. The weightings are illustrative, and the assessment addresses other factors that also need to be taken account of. The assessment shows that, whichever of its four sets of weightings is used, near-surface disposal of low level waste is radiologically and economically attractive.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportions of the total volume of the United Kingdom's intermediate- and low-level radioactive waste arise solely from the Magnox reactors and the reprocessing of their spent fuel; and what these proportions will be in 1990 and 2000.

Mr. Waldegrave

The proportions of low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes arising from Magnox reactors and the reprocessing of their spent fuel will be as follows:

Proportion of total volume
By 1990 By 2000
per cent. per cent.
Low-level waste arisings from 1986
Magnox reactors 8 8
Magnox fuel reprocessing and other activities at Sellafield 72 69
Intermediate-level waste stocks
Magnox reactors 21 18

Proportion of total volume
By 1990 By 2000
per cent. per cent.
Magnox fuel reprocessing and other activities at Sellafield 64 60

These figures are taken from the 1985 assessment of waste stocks and future arisings commissioned jointly by the Department of the Environment and NIREX. They do not take account of the potential for compaction of LLW.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby of 21 April, how much intermediate waste is produced per annum; where it is stored; and when present storage facilities will be exhausted at current rates of production.

Mr. Waldegrave

I shall write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what safeguards will operate to ensure that no high level nuclear waste is dumped at a site chosen for low level and intermediate nuclear waste.

Mr. Waldegrave

High-level nuclear waste is very easily distinguished and there is no possibility that it could be confused with low-level waste. It is intended that future authorisations to dispose of waste will require that containers are subject to planned and systematic quality assurance procedures which might involve both nondestructive and destructive tests. These methods are currently the subject of a research programme.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether detailed studies have been conducted regarding the effects of an earthquake on nuclear waste burial sites; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

Seismic factors will be considered in the Department's assessment of all proposed nuclear waste disposal sites and the design to any associated structures.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies are being commissioned by his Department about the possible effects of radionuclides on the River Humber.

Mr. Waldegrave

Certain industrial premises on the Humber estuary are authorised under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 to discharge very low concentrations of radionuclides arising from the presence of natural radioactivity in the feed stock materials. These concentrations are so low that it is considered that there could be no significant environmental effects and therefore no specific studies of the River Humber have been undertaken.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department has held any discussions with the National Farmers Union regarding the four nuclear waste disposal sites currently under investigation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

I have held no such discussions. If the National Farmers Union has views to offer, I shall be pleased to give them careful consideration.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the arrangements for ensuring that radioactive waste resulting from the reprocessing of imported spent oxide fuel is returned to the country of origin; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

Satisfactory arrangements to return the wastes arising from the reprocessing of overseas contracts will be made. Decisions on the precise form and timing will be taken in the light of further studies.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether a local authority may refuse to allow a deposit of nuclear waste in its area under the regulations currently in force relating to hazardous waste substances; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

No. Disposal of nuclear waste is authorised under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 and as such it is not subject to the Control of Pollution Act 1974 which covers other waste substances. Under section 9(5) of the 1960 Act there is a duty on a waste disposal authority to accept radioactive waste on a disposal site specified in an authorisation for disposal of that waste granted by the relevant Minister.

Mr. LyeII

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the proposed capacity to store radioactive nuclear waste, in cubic metres, at each of the four sites, Bradwell, Elstow, Fulbeck and South Killingholme.

Mrs. Rumbold

The capacity will depend on the site and design of facility eventually chosen, and on the degree of compaction of wastes. In general terms it is currently intended that the site should accommodate arisings of waste over the next 40 to 50 years. Estimates of waste arisings over this period are given in the recent assessment of best practicable environmental options for management of radioactive wastes, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Any of the four sites announced by NIREX, operated in conjunction with disposals at Drigg, would have more than adequate capacity.

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