§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to paragraph 9.51 of his Department's Annual Report 1999, Cm 4204, what international work on the implementation of the convention on the safe management of radioactive waste and spent fuel has been supported by the United Kingdom. [80203]
§ Mr. MealeThe Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management has yet to enter into force. The UK signed the Convention on 29 September 1997, the day it opened for signature. Preparations for UK ratification of the Convention are under way.
Since the Convention opened for signature, the International Atomic Energy Agency has held two informal meetings to discuss preparations for implementation of the Convention's reporting and peer review requirements. UK experts have taken an active part in these meetings.