HC Deb 09 May 1986 vol 97 cc303-4W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he has had consultations with the Food Manufacturers' Association about the siting of nuclear dumps;

(2) whether he has received representations from or held consultations with any section of the fishing industry about the siting of nuclear waste dumps.

Mr. Waldegrave

I have had no such consultations. If the Food Manufacturers' Association or the fishing industry has views to offer, I shall be pleased to give them careful consideration.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has taken on extra staff to deal with correspondence arising from the NIREX nuclear dump proposals.

Mr. Waldegrave

No.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) pursuant to the answer of 28 April, Official Report, column 321, what effect his decision to limit the disposal of nuclear waste at NIREX sites to low level waste will have on the future disposal of reprocessing wastes at NIREX sites;

(2)pursuant to the answer of 28 April, Official Report, column 321,whether the reprocessing wastes referred to include materials contaminated in the course of reprocessing but which do not originate as waste for reprocessing;

(3) how many letters and petition signatures for and against the siting of a nuclear waste dump he has received in the month of April from each of the four areas short-listed by NIREX;

(4)if he will reply to the letter to him from Councillor S. J. Norton of 38 Melrose Way, Grimsby, South Humberside, about the South Killingholme potential nuclear waste disposal site in sufficient time for the councillor to have a reasonable opportunity to reply before the special development order is laid; and if he will make a statement;

(5) if he will make it his policy to reply to the letter to him from Councillor A. M. Webster of 66 Caistor Drive, Grimsby, South Humberside, about the South Killingholme proposed nuclear waste disposal site in sufficient time for the councillor to have a reasonable opportunity to reply before the special develpment order is laid; and if he will make a statement;

(6) if he will make it his policy to reply to Councillor J. F. Orchard of 8 Worsley Close, Immingham, South Humberside, about the South Killingholme potential nuclear waste disposal site in sufficient time for the recipient to have a reasonable opportunity to reply before the special development order is laid; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

I shall answer these questions shortly.