§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest assessment of the future costs of decontaminating and clean-up of military nuclear production and operational facilities, including radioactive waste management and disposal; and if he will commission a study along the lines of the United States Energy Department study, estimating the cold war mortgage of radioactive contamination arising from the United Kingdom nuclear weapons programme. [19317]
§ Mr. SoamesIt has been the practice of successive Governments not to disclose details of planned spending associated with the defence nuclear programme. The importance and costs of radiological and other forms of decontamination are, however, fully recognised as part of future defence planning, and adequate funding will be made available. Studies already conducted or to be undertaken will continue to assist in refining the estimates of the costs of radioactive waste management and disposal.