Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last sea dump of radioactive waste arising from military uses of nuclear materials took place; what was the total quantity of radioactivity contained in radioactive waste packages of military origin nuclear waste disposed of at sea; what volume of such radioactive waste has been disposed of at sea; and if there are any plans to renew the sea disposal of radioactive wastes arising from defence programmes.
§ Mr. SainsburyIt has not been the Government's practice to provide a detailed breakdown between civil and military sources of the drummed radioactive wastes disposed of at sea in the operations up to and including 1982. As required under the London dumping convention (LDC), global figures have been given to the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA). As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy informed the House on 26 May 1988 at column233, the Government have decided not to resume sea dumping of drummed radioactive wastes, but intend to keep open this option for large items arising from decommissioning operations.