§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, 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.
§ Mr. Waldegrave[pursuant to his answer, 9 May 1986, c. 307]: Yes.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of 28 April, 364W 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.
§ Mr. Waldegrave[pursuant to his answer, 9 May 1986, c. 307]: None, unless the possibility mentioned in my answer of 28 April to the hon. Member arises.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment 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.
§ Mr. Waldegrave[pursuant to his answer, 9 May 1986, c. 307]: In April my right hon. Friend received the following approximate numbers of letters against the siting of a radioactive waste disposal facility at each of the four areas short-listed by NIREX: South Killingholme, 220; Fulbeck, 185; Bradwell, 25; Elstow, 20. A number of postcards were also received. In addition, some 50 letters were received on the subject of radioactive waste management generally. Only two letters were received in favour of NIREX investigating the suitability of a particular site: one each from South Killingholme and Bradwell. I will write to the hon. Member concerning the number of petition signatures received.
§ Mr. Austim Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the changed plans for dumping of nuclear waste, he will defer the date of laying of the special development order.
§ Mr. Waldegrave[pursuant to his answer, 8 May 1986, c. 237]: No.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the consultation procedures and the levels of information available to the public regarding the disposal of nuclear waste and the creation of new dumping sites; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether, in view of the decision to dispose of only low level nuclear waste at one of the four sites, he now intends to publish new information to local authorities about quantities, transportation, method of dumping, safety, risk and other characteristics of nuclear waste dumps.
§ Mr. Waldegrave[pursuant to his answer, 9 May 1986, c. 237]: In 1983–84 my Department consulted widely over the principles to be used in assessing proposals from NIREX. More recently we have consulted on the terms of the special development order which will enable NIREX to undertake geological investigations. We will continue to ensure that adequate information is made available. I understand that NIREX will be revising its public information in the light of the recent decision.