§ Mr. Lyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is proposed that any radioactive waste arising from Sellafield should be disposed of at sites other than Drigg up to year 2030.
§ Mrs. RumboldProvided UK NIREX Ltd develops a new disposal site in the mid-1990s there will be adequate capacity at Drigg for all low-level wastes from Sellafield until after 2030. NIREX has been asked to look at possible sites for deep disposal of intermediate-level wastes, much of which could come from Sellafield. Government policy is to store high-level waste for 50 years.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his decision that NIREX nuclear dumps will contain only low-level nuclear waste precludes their use for storage of nuclear materials from nuclear submarines.
§ Mrs. RumboldA NIREX site will be used primarily for disposal, not storage, although some short-term storage may take place as a prelude to disposal. A site may receive some wastes from decommissioned nuclear submarines.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he held with NIREX before announcing that NIREX nuclear dumps would take only low-level waste; what proposals he now has for dealing with intermediate level waste; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe decision to restrict what goes into a near-surface site was discussed with NIREX in one of the regular meetings my Department and NIREX have to discuss issues that are within our respective responsibilities. NIREX is exploring the options of disposing of intermediate level waste in a deep cavity underground or under the sea bed, or in a mine tunnelled out under the sea bed from the shore.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many delegations he has received to date, and from which areas, local authorities and organisations, on the proposal for nuclear dumping and the related special development orders.
§ Mrs. RumboldSince the announcement of potential disposal sites on 25 February, my right hon. Friends and424W I, together or separately, have met representatives of the following bodies: county and district councils from Bedfordshire, Humberside and Lincolnshire; Essex county council; and Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Against Nuclear Dumping. We have also met representatives of parish councils. I am today holding separate meetings with deputations from Bedfordshire Against Nuclear Dumping and Humberside Against Nuclear Dumping. My hon. Friend the Minister for Environment, Countryside and Local Government will be meeting representatives of Maldon district council, Maldon Against Nuclear Dumping and parish councils around Bradwell on 15 May.