§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total volume was of nuclear waste produced and requiring storage by(a) his Department and (b) military installations in each year since 1990, broken down by (i) the level of waste and (ii) whether the waste is in temporary or permanent storage; and if he will make a statement. [86416]
§ Dr. MoonieNo central records are held on volumes of nuclear waste produced and requiring storage for each year since 1990. However, I refer the hon. Member to the "United Kingdom Radioactive Waste Inventory" to which the Ministry of Defence contributes, and which provides periodic snapshots on radioactive waste stocks, including levels of waste, location and whether the waste is held in temporary or permanent storage. The inventory has previously been published to show snapshots of waste stocks in 1991 and 1994, and a copy of the most recent inventory, for 1998, is available in the Library of the House. A new inventory, for 2001, is being completed and will be published shortly and a copy will be placed in the Library.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many decommissioned nuclear submarines have been awaiting waste treatment and storage for each year since 1990; where they are; what steps are being planned to tackle the task; and if he will make a statement. [86417]
§ Dr. MoonieSince 1990, 10 nuclear-powered submarines have been decommissioned, and are stored safely afloat.424W
Submarine Date decommissioned Afloat storage location Churchill 1990 Rosyth Dockyard Warspite 1990 HMNB Devonport Conqueror 1991 HMNB Devonport Swiftsure 1991 Rosyth Dockyard Courageous 1992 HMNB Devonport Revenge 1992 Rosyth Dockyard Resolution 1994 Rosyth Dockyard Valient 1994 HMNB Devonport Renown 1996 Rosyth Dockyard Repulse 1996 Rosyth Dockyard As soon as possible after a nuclear-powered submarine leaves naval service, the reactor is de-fuelled and the vessel prepared for safe storage afloat. Daily inspections and annual maintenance periods are carried out to ensure the vessel is maintained to a high standard of preservation and safety.
We are currently considering options for land storage of radioactive waste from nuclear powered submarines (the ISOLUS Study) and we will shortly be seeking proposals from industry. These will inform a public consultation and, following detailed negotiations, a preferred bidder will be selected. This is expected to take around three years to complete. The aim is to have the land storage facility in service by 2012.