§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures are in place to ensure that the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management does not duplicate work already undertaken by other organisations. [159025]
§ Mr. MorleyCoRWM has clearly stated terms of reference that require it to provide recommendations to UK Government and devolved Administrations on how best to manage the UK's higher activity radioactive waste in the long-term under the "Managing Radioactive Waste Safely" programme. These terms of reference may be viewed on the Committee's website, http://www.open.gov.uk/rwmac.
§ Mark TamiTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on long-term radioactive waste management of(a) the continued ownership of Nirex by the nuclear industry, (b) the ownership of Nirex by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and (c) making Nirex independent of the nuclear industry. [160008]
§ Mr. MorleyWe have asked the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) to provide the Government with recommendations on the best form of long-term management for the UK's higher activity radioactive waste. Government have stated their intent to make Nirex independent of industry and under greater Government control to allow an effective contribution to CoRWM's work. We are continuing to give consideration to the possibilities for this; when we are ready, an announcement will be made. In the meantime we are working to ensure Nirex continues to discharge its functions for the benefit of the public as well as its shareholders.