§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have for the management of the plutonium waste held in the United Kingdom; and what plans he has to fund research into its safe disposal. [40184]
§ Mr. BattleI have been asked to reply.
There are quantities of plutonium waste, usually referred to as plutonium contaminated material, or PCM, held at a number of sites owned by BNFL, UKAEA, and MoD. Subject to compliance with all the relevant legislation, the management of these wastes is the responsibility of the owners of the material.
It was intended that this material should be disposed of to the repository which Nirex hoped to build if investigations near Sellafield had shown the site to be suitable. Planning permission for a rock characterisation facility at that site was not, however, granted. The waste will therefore remain in safe, secure storage pending the recommendations of the House of Lords Select Committee which is inquiring into radioactive waste management, and wide consultation on this topic which my right. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has indicated will follow the report of that Committee.
The waste owners will no doubt review what research it is appropriate to fund in the light of the forthcoming recommendations.