§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what level of public consultation there has been or will be into allowing increased levels of radioactive discharge from Dounreay reprocessing plant;
(2) if a full enviromental impact assessment has been made into the consequences of allowing increased radioactive discharge from Dounreay reprocessing plant; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what research has been undertaken and consultation held into the impact on fish and the fishing industry 56W through allowing increased radioactive discharge from the Dounreay reprocessing plant; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Hector MonroAEA Technology has applied to the chief inspector, HM industrial pollution inspectorate, for revised waste disposal authorisations under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 in respect of the Dounreay site. Copies of the application have been made available to the public in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The application provides an assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed discharges including the possible effects on marine food stuffs. If, however, the chief inspector considers that he requires further information in order to determine the application he is entitled to seek such information from the applicant or such others sources as he sees fit.
Before granting an authorisation in respect of the disposal of radioactive waste on or from the Dounreay site the chief inspector is required by the Act to consult such local authorities, relevant water bodies and other public or local authorities as appear to him to be proper to be consulted by him.
§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the levels of radioactive discharge from Dounreay reprocessing plant in the current year; and what are the estimated levels in each of the next five years.
§ Sir Hector MonroInformation about radioactive discharges from Dounreay is available in a series of statistical bulletins published by the Scottish Office entitled "Radioactive Waste Disposals from Nuclear Sites in Scotland". The most recent bulletin provides information for the period 1988 to 1992 and copies are in the Library. A further bulletin covering the period 1989 to 1993 is in preparation and will be published as soon as possible.
Levels of discharge in future years are dependent on the outcome of the application which AEA Technology has made to the chief inspector, HM industrial pollution inspectorate for revised waste disposal authorisations.