Radioactive Waste Management (Hansard, 27 June 1990)

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he, or his Department, makes appointments to the panel of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Council.

§ Mr. Trippier
My colleages the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Scotland and Wales decide what appointments should be made to the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the meetings of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Council are open to the public.

§ Mr. Trippier
The meetings of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee are not open to members of the public. However, the committee publishes annual reports summarising the work it has undertaken throughout the year.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what vacancies are current or forthcoming on the panel of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Council.

§ Mr. Trippier
There are no vacancies in the membership of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee. The terms of office of eight members come to an end later this year.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the membership of the panel of the 285W Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Council; and if there is any provision for the representation of any environmental public interest groups on this panel or at meetings of the panel.

§ Mr. Trippier
The membership of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee is as set out in the latest annual report, with the one exception that Professor J. R. Greening has now retired. A copy of the annual report has been placed in the Library. The committee holds regular meetings with a wide range of public interest groups and takes their views into account in providing advice to Ministers.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funding is available to facilitate public attendance at meetings of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Council.

§ Mr. Trippier
No funds are available for this purpose as the meetings of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee are not open to the public.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the remit of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Council.

§ Mr. Trippier
The remit of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee is set out in the first annual report of May 1980, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

§ Mr. Salmond
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what public interest groups have representation on the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Council; and whether such groups make suggestions to him for individuals to be nominated to take part in the work of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Council.

§ Mr. Trippier
The membership of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee is set out in the annual reports, copies of which are placed in the Library. My right hon. Friend considers all suggestions for nominations to the committee, including those from public interest groups.