HC Deb 12 April 1994 vol 241 cc123-4W
Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Paris Commission's policy agreed in June 1993 will be used in deciding whether to allow the Dounreay reprocessing plant to increase levels of radioactive discharge.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 7 March 1994]: Recommendations of the Paris Commission are not binding although the United Kingdom complies with those it accepts. The United Kingdom entered a reservation to recommendation 93/5 and takes the view that it is inappropriate for the Commission to have a role in the approval or rejection of individual projects. Nevertheless, the United Kingdom takes most seriously its commitments under the Paris convention and it is expected that the national competent authority will have full regard to these commitments in arriving at decisions in respect of the current applications for revised discharge authorisations at Dounreay.

Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the arrangements made for international scrutiny and consultation on allowing increased radioactive discharge from Dounreay reprocessing plant.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 7 March 1994]: All international obligations with respect to the current applications for a revised discharge authorisation for Dounreay will be complied with.