§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has received on progress made in the BNFL1060W stakeholder dialogue; and what assessment she has made of the benefit to departmental policy development of the outputs of the dialogue. [3953]
§ Mr. MeacherMy officials have reported to me on the progress of the dialogue, which is organised by the Environment Council, and its reports are publicly available on the Environment Council website. The dialogue is between an individual company and its stakeholders and is intended to contribute to its own policy development and not that of my Department. But the UK Government and the devolved Administrations will soon publish a consultation paper on the long-term management of radioactive waste, which will start a process of national debate and decision making. We are therefore learning from this dialogue, in terms of how to work with stakeholders—including the importance of openness and trust—and in relation to any conclusions that are reached on the safe management of radioactive materials and wastes. We have asked the Council about the possibility of quoting sections of the Waste Working Group's report in our consultation paper.