§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether Her Majesty's Government intend to file a declaration of non-acceptance in relation to the London convention decision in favour of a permanent worldwide ban on nuclear waste dumping at sea; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. JackWe are currently considering our position in relation to the recent London convention decision to introduce a permanent ban on the disposal of radioactive waste at sea.
§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what considerations underlay the United Kingdom's abstention at the London convention on nuclear waste dumping at sea and the proposal for a permanent worldwide ban on such dumping.
§ Mr. JackWe believe that the option of sea disposal for large bulky wastes arising from the decommissioning of nuclear power stations and submarines should not be foreclosed as it may represent the best practicable environmental option for these wastes. The United Kingdom has no immediate plans to dump such wastes at sea and is actively pursuing a land-based option.