§ Lord Beaumont of Whitleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have permanently to dispose of the radioactive debris in a shaft at Dounreay referred to in the first editorial in the New Scientist of 13 December.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Clinton-Davis)The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) made recommendations to the Department of Trade and Industry relating to the future of the Dounreay shaft following its hoard meeting on 4 November 1997. The department's officials have studied UKAEA's recommendations and provided my honourable friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry with advice which he is now considering. It is clearly important to allow time to give proper consideration to such important issues and my department intends to consult the Scottish Office and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) before making a decision.