§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the progress being made to find a site at which to store intermediate and low-level nuclear waste; and what estimates have been made of the safety levels at each site and the cost of preparing a site and running it.
§ Mr. MacleanUK Nirex Ltd. is responsible for finding a site for the disposal of low and intermediate level radioactive waste. Nirex is concentrating its investigations on an area adjacent to British Nuclear Fuels' Sellafield site and expects to submit an application for planning permission to construct a deep disposal facility before the end of the year. Nirex will need to satisfy the relevant regulatory authorities about the safety of the construction of the facility and the safety of the disposal of the radioactive wastes consigned to it. The cost of developing and running the facility are matters for Nirex.