HC Deb 02 November 1994 vol 248 cc1155-6W
Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites which are currently used for the disposal of low-level nuclear waste.

Mr. Atkins

I will write to the hon. Member.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what account will be taken of public opinion when the decision is made about the level of nuclear waste at the Milton tip;

(2) what plans he has to introduce further sites for the disposal of low-level nuclear waste in East Anglia;

(3) on what date he expects to publish the findings of his review of waste management disposal;

(4) when he will take a decision about the level of nuclear waste disposed of at the Milton landfill pit near Cambridge;

(5) what representations he has received on his plans to allow the dumping of low-level nuclear waste on council landfill sites;

(6) what further consultation he intends to carry out with the councils and the residents in the Lewes area before deciding whether Beddingham landfill site is to be approved as a site for the disposal of low-level nuclear waste; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

One of the proposals in the Department's consultation paper, "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Preliminary Conclusions", published in August, was that waste producers should be encouraged to make greater use of the controlled burial of low-level radioactive waste in landfill sites. The Department has received a large number of responses to the review, which are being given full consideration. A statement of future policy will be made in due course.

There are no proposals in relation to specific sites. However, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution consults the relevant waste regulatory authority, local councils and water undertakers, before issuing authorisations for controlled burial.

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