§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on(a) public consultation and (b) public information with regard to the importing of radioactive material into the United Kingdom; when the next authorised consignment of nuclear waste is to enter the United Kingdom, and what is its destination; what discussions he has had with NATO representatives regarding the risk of (i) Chechen and (ii) Iranian acquisition of nuclear materials; what guidelines are in place for United Kingdom negotiations and agreements regarding the processing of international nuclear waste within the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [39915]
§ Mr. Tony Lloyd[holding answer 27 April 1998]Radioactive material is routinely imported to the UK as part of the day-to-day business of nuclear and non-nuclear industries and research, academic and medical institutions. Such imports are subject to stringent international safety requirements. There is no requirement, however, for the public to be consulted or informed about these routine imports of radioactive material.
The Government's general policy is that radioactive waste should not be imported to or exported from the UK. Some defined exceptions to this rule apply, for example, hospital waste from countries that do not have the facilities to dispose of it safely. It is for the appropriate UK competent authority to assess any applications it receives on its merits. No authorised consignment of nuclear waste is currently destined for import to the UK. Ministers and officials regularly have discussions with our NATO colleagues on a wide range of issues, including those relating to nuclear proliferation.