§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will define his responsibilities in relation to the marine pollution implications of proposed undersea depositories for nuclear waste storage.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 13 November 1987]: The deposit of substances or articles under the seabed within waters under United Kingdom jurisdiction requires a licence under part II of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, either from my Department or from the Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish Departments as appropriate. Section 8 of the Act sets out the factors which have to be taken into account by the licensing authority in determining whether to issue such licences. I am also jointly responsible, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, for the authorisation of disposals of radioactive waste from licensed nuclear sites and UK AEA establishments in England under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960.