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Dept of the Environment

Answer

Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in implementing the proposals concerning transparency in decision making relating to the rock characterisation facility proposals contained in the joint Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee--Advisory Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations.[12109] Mr. Clappison: In March 1995, the Department published a report by a study group drawn from members of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations on "Site Selection for Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities and the Protection of Human Health". In view of the importance which the report attached to transparency of decision making, Nirex made proposals to enhance and put onto a regular cycle the publication of information about its scientific work and the development of its repository programme. In the White Paper, "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy" (CM 2919), the Government welcomed this initiative and said that they would seek the advice of RWMAC on the company's proposals. RWMAC's advice is being published on Tuesday 21 January in a report, "Nirex's Proposals for Publication and Peer Review", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. The Government welcomes Nirex's proposals and RWMAC's recommendations on them. My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside, has written to the chairman of Nirex commending the committee's recommendations to him.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

12109; 288 c647-8W

Session

1996-97

Subjects

Disclosure of information Radioactive waste Nuclear power Radioactive materials Safety Waste management Waste disposal