HC Deb 02 November 1994 vol 248 c1150W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to deposit in the Library all the submissions received on his Department's nuclear waste policy review.

Mr. Atkins

A list of submissions will be placed in the Library in due course.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what monitoring is undertaken of sites where low-level nuclear waste is deposited.

Mr. Atkins

Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution regularly samples leachate or other local waters at sites authorised to receive low-level radioactive waste for controlled burial.

Details and results of the programme are given in HMIP's annual monitoring reports, copies of which are lodged in the Library.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the suitability, in terms of lining, soil conditions and proximity of water sources of Beddingham landfill site near Lewes for possible disposal of low-level nuclear waste.

Mr. Atkins

The suitability of the Beddingham landfill site to receive low-level radioactive waste, small quantities of which are sent only from Sussex university, was carefully assessed by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution before an authorisation for disposal was granted.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what precautions are taken to ensure that low-level nuclear waste is not dispersed or misused.

Mr. Atkins

The accumulation and disposal of radioactive waste are regulated under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 and, as appropriate, under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will agree to the request by Lewes district council for a representative of his Department to attend a public meeting in Lewes to explain the proposals to allow the disposal of low-level nuclear waste on council landfill sites.

Mr. Atkins

Yes.