HC Deb 09 April 1987 vol 114 cc351-2W
Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what technical investigations have taken place in the Gillingham area into the disposal of radioactive waste from the royal dockyards; and what have been the results of the technical investigations.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

There are no plans to dispose of radioactive waste from the royal dockyards in the Gillingham area. A small quantity of radioactive material is stored at MOD Gillingham and this will be removed to a permanent disposal site whenever one is available.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what technical investigations have taken place at Rosyth into the possible storage of radioactive waste within the dockyard or naval base; and what have been the results of the technical investigations.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate has carried out a comprehensive hazard analysis of the current facilities and procedures for handling radioactive waste, so as to permit the Rosyth dockyard and naval base to support the RN's fleet of nuclear submarines.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has set aside funds for the building of a new facility for storage of radioactive waste at Rosyth dockyard.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

A new facility is planned and funds will be available.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what new policy decisions have been made (a) within the last two years and (b) within the last six months about the disposal, transportation and storage of radioactive waste created as a result of nuclear submarine refits at Rosyth dockyard.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

It had been intended that one of the near-surface radioactive waste burial sites being investigated by NIREX would accept low-level and short-lived intermediate level waste from Rosyth. However, the Government, in responding to the Environment Committee's report on radioactive waste, published on 12 March 1986, decided that the chosen NIREX near-surface burial site should accept only low-level waste. Short-lived intermediate waste will now have to be stored until other arrangements can be made.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about future plans for the storage of radioactive waste at Rosyth dockyard and naval base at Drigg.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Low-level radioactive waste from Rosyth dockyard and naval base will continue to be sent for disposal at the shallow land burial site at Drigg until the new NIREX near-surface burial site is in operation, what that will be used.