§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the public consultation relating to the new draft discharge authorisations for Sellafield to commence.
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 13 November 1992]: In response to applications made under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 by British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) to dispose of liquid and gaseous radioactive waste from Sellafield, the chief inspector of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP) acting jointly with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), has today sent out public consultation documents proposing new limits for liquid and gaseous radioactive discharges from BNFL's Sellafield operations. The consultation process which will run for eight weeks is being carried out widely and is based on draft authorisations and accompanying 57W explanatory memoranda so that everyone can clearly see what HMIP and MAFF propose in response in the company's applications.
The draft authorisations will include proposed discharge limits for all relevant plant on the site. The effect of the authorisation would be to:
- (a) bring into operation new treatment plant for liquid effluent;
- (b) allow the operation of the new "THORP" thermal oxide reprocessing plant whose construction is nearing completion;
- (c) provide for the decommissioning of redundant plant, and for the processing of wastes accumulated on the site;
- (d) allow the incineration of slightly contaminated waste oil.
I am assured that HMIP and MAFF will not make up their minds about the applications until after the consultation period when they have considered relevant information and the responses they have received. Copies of the consultation documents will be placed in the Library of the House.