HC Deb 26 October 1988 vol 139 cc229-30W
Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if his departmental research programme into nuclear waste disposal includes evaluation of the laser photo-acoustic spectroscopy technique under development at United States Department of Energy laboratories at Argonne.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The development and application of laser induced photoacoustic spectroscopy has formed part of the radioactive waste management research programme of the Department of the Environment since 1985.

Dr. Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to the criticisms of the current nucelar waste disposal strategy in the latest annual report from the radioactive waste management advisory committee.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

We take careful note of views expressed in the annual reports of the radioactive waste management advisory committee and discuss significant issues with the chairman of the committee as appropriate. The ninth annual report was published on 28 July and copies were placed in the Library of the House.