Written question asked by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 May 2003. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 May 2003 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what savings will be made to the government by the announcement that the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee is to be abolished; and what the reasons are for its abolition; how the watchdog functions in relation to the management of nuclear waste will be maintained following the abolition of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee; what safeguards she is putting in place to ensure that the scrutiny undertaken by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee is not compromised by its abolition. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what savings will be made to the Government by the announcement that the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee is to be abolished; and what the reasons are for its abolition; [110454] (2) how the watchdog functions in relation to the management of nuclear waste will be maintained following the abolition of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee; [110372] (3) what safeguards she is putting in place to ensure that the scrutiny undertaken by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee is not compromised by its abolition. [110373] Mr. Meacher: Sponsoring Ministers are currently considering the future of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC) in light of the establishment of the new Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), that is being set up to carry forward the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely programme, and will announce their decision in due course. RWMAC is currently served by a secretariat of 3.5 staff and has an annual budget of the order £160,000.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 404 c716W;404 c712W; 110454;110372;110373
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Finance Radioactive waste Staff Waste management Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk