HC Deb 19 October 1994 vol 248 cc261-2W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans the Government have to abandon the future storage of radioactive waste at the British Nuclear Fuels plc base at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

None. The Government's position was set out in the consultation document, "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Preliminary Conclusions", which was published in August. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. Responses to the document are currently being considered.

Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many responses were received to his consultation paper on radioactive waste management as part of the nuclear review; if he will place in the Library a list of the respondents; and when he expects to complete the report on the responses to the consultation.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 17 October 1994]: The review of radioactive waste management policy is being carried out separately from but parallel to the nuclear review. The total number of responses received when the consultation period ended on 14 October was 292. We are, however, continuing to receive a number of late returns. A list of respondents will be placed in the Library of the House. A statement of the Government's conclusions in the light of the consultation exercise will be made in due course.