Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 8 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 November 2005. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 November 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Nuclear Waste (Storage)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total volume of nuclear waste produced and requiring storage by (a) his Department and (b) military installations was in each year since 1990, broken down by category of waste; whether the waste is in (i) temporary and (ii) permanent storage; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: No 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 Inventory¹ to which the Ministry of Defence contributes, and which provides periodic snapshots on radioactive waste stocks, including categories of waste, location and whether the waste is held in temporary or permanent storage. The inventory has previously been published in 1991,1994 and 1998, and a copy of the most recent inventory, for 2001, is available in the Library of the House. A new inventory, for 2004, is in preparation and is due to be published shortly. A copy will be placed in the Library."¹ The United Kingdom Radioactive Waste Inventory is published at three or four yearly intervals by DEFRA and NIREX. The reports provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on waste as at 1 April of the title year. The Inventory includes information on the quantities, types and characteristics of waste."

Secondary information