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Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 23 April 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 June 1999. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 June 1999 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if his Department has applied the tests set out in the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's September 1997 Report on the Import and Export of Radioactive Waste to the reprocessing of German spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield. - (Holding answer 26 May 1999).
Answer

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department has applied the tests set out in the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's September 1997 report on the Import and Export of Radioactive Waste to the reprocessing of German spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield. [82469] Mr. Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to introduce legislation to make mandatory the tests set out by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee in its 1997 report on The Import and Export of Radioactive Waste; and if he will make a statement; [85463] (2) what steps his Department takes to ensure that contracts for the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel are compatible with the policy set out in the 1995 White Paper Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy on the import and export of radioactive waste; [85462] (3) if he will order an independent inquiry to establish whether current contracts for the reprocessing of foreign spent nuclear fuel in the UK meet the tests recommended by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee in its 1997 report on The Import and Export of Radioactive Waste; and if he will make a statement. [85464] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 26 May 1999]: The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's September 1997 report on The Import and Export of Radioactive Waste suggests "specific tests which + the Government should, subject to consultation, give to the regulators as guidance on the practical application of policy on the import and export of radioactive wastes". As spent nuclear fuel has not traditionally been defined as radioactive waste, the tests outlined do not apply to the import of materials for reprocessing.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
332 c214-5W; 82469
Session
1998-99
Subjects
Environment protection Germany Imports Radioactive waste Nuclear fuel reprocessing Radioactive materials Sellafield Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee