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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the relationship between the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management and Nirex. [212136] Mr. Morley :[holding answer 31 January 2005]: The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) is the independent advisory committee set up by UK Government and the devolved Administrations under the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely programme to provide recommendations on the best option, or combination of options, for the long-term management of the UK's higher activity radioactive waste. CoRWM has been asked to deliver its recommendations by July 2006. Nirex is a company originally set up by the UK nuclear industry in 1982 to provide radioactive waste disposal services to the industry and others. Current work includes: scientific, engineering and social science research into options for dealing with radioactive waste in the long-term; specifications and standards for the treatment and packaging of radioactive waste; and compiling the UK Radioactive Waste Inventory in conjunction with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). CoRWM and Nirex are separate and distinct bodies. Nirex will contribute to the CoRWM review as part of its work. Nirex is to be made independent of the nuclear industry and under greater Government control, through a Defra/DTI holding company, from 1 April 2005 for the period of CoRWM's work, following which these arrangements will be reviewed and a decision made on the future.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

212136; 430 c1502W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

United Kingdom NIREX Committee on Radioactive Waste Management

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk