§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what participation her Department plans to have in the European Commission's Net excel network of EUbased organisations responsible for radioactive waste management. [86139]
§ Mr MeacherNet excel is an existing thematic network of excellence in nuclear waste management and disposal set up under the Euratom fifth framework programme for nuclear research and training. The consortium consists of eight radioactive waste management organisations from across Europe—Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Nirex from the UK. This Department has no direct participation, but we will be kept informed of the work leading to the report to the Commission towards the end of 2003.