Written question asked by Michael Meacher (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 November 1996. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 5 November 1996 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What consultations he has had with (a) his Japanese counterpart, and (b) Japanese officials about the environmental appraisal of the interim storage of plutonium separated from reprocessed Japanese spent fuel at Sellafield; and what contribution (i) the Environment Directorate of the European Commission, (ii) the Health and Safety Directorate of the European Commission and (iii) the Health and Safety Department of EURATON made to the environmental assessment of plutonium storage at (1) Sellafield and (2) Dounreay. - (Holding answer 4 November 1996).

Answer: Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with (a) his Japanese counterpart, and (b) Japanese officials about the environmental appraisal of the interim storage of plutonium separated from reprocessed Japanese spent fuel at Sellafield; and what contribution (i) the Environment Directorate of the European Commission, (ii) the Health and Safety Directorate of the European Commission and (iii) the Health and Safety Department of EURATON made to the environmental assessment of plutonium storage at (1) Sellafield and (2) Dounreay. [1832] Mr. Clappison: [holding answer 4 November 1996]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has had no consultations with Japanese Ministers or officials about the interim storage of plutonium separated from reprocessed Japanese spent fuel at Sellafield. All nuclear sites, including Sellafield and Dounreay, are subject to regulations governing health and safety, the protection of the environment and the safeguard of nuclear materials. Questions about the contribution made by the European Commission should be referred to the Commission itself.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 1832; 284 c467-8W;284 c462W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Japan Radioactive waste Nuclear power Nuclear fuel reprocessing Radioactive materials Safety Waste disposal Sellafield Dounreay Plutonium