Local MP Confronts Government on Nuclear Waste Strategy

6.00.00pm GMT Thu 2nd Feb 2006

The energy review will consider nuclear energy

Following on from the Liberal Democrat Opposition Day debate on Civil Nuclear Power last week (17/01/06), which forced the Government to address some of the many important questions surrounding a possible expansion of nuclear energy production, MP Annette Brooke asked a question on nuclear waste in DEFRA questions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

8. Annette Brooke (Mid-Dorset and North Poole) If she will make a statement on arrangements for dealing with nuclear waste.

The Minister for Climate Change and the Environment (Mr. Elliot Morley): The Government are committed to solving the radioactive waste problem. The independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management—Corwm—is due to report in July this year.

Annette Brooke (Mid-Dorset and North Poole) (LD): A recent report by the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management predicts a fivefold increase in highly radioactive waste storage from the new generation of nuclear power stations. Will the hon. Gentleman discuss the full costs of proceeding with a nuclear power programme with his colleagues in the Department of Trade and Industry?

Mr. Morley: As I mentioned earlier, the DTI has embarked on an energy review. All forms of energy will be considered and there will be an opportunity for an open and transparent debate. The priority for Corwm is to deal with the legacy of nuclear waste in this country, which has not been addressed for decades. It is time that we had a proper strategy for dealing with that and I hope that that will be the outcome of the report published in July.

continued below:

Commenting on the need for more open debate on the Government's proposed Energy Review, Annette Brooke said:

"Liberal Democrats believe that a new generation of nuclear power stations should not be part of the future UK energy mix. Nuclear power is uneconomic and the commissioning of a new generation would effectively result in a nuclear tax on every household to pay for them.

"A new generation of nuclear power stations would generate vast quantities of nuclear waste and divert essential funding away from energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy.

"With Labour and the Conservatives both split on this issue, it is only the Liberal Democrats who are making a stand against nuclear power."

The Department of Trade and Industry estimate for managing waste has gone up from £48 billion to £56 billion. British Energy costs, which have been taken over by the Government will amount to £3.3 billion, starting with 10 yearly payments of £181 million.

No one yet knows how, where or when nuclear waste can or will be safely stored. No one can be sure of the cost, although it is estimated to be many billions of pounds. It will pose problems for centuries, not just decades. We also know that a new generation of nuclear build will massively increase the amount of high-level waste to be disposed of.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

Speaking in the Lib Dem Opposition Day debate on 17th January 2006, Environment spokesman Norman Baker said:

"I want to deal with the waste issue, as part of the nuclear legacy. In fact, 18 million cubic meters of contaminated soil and rubble have been produced from 30 sites over a period of 60 years.

"The nuclear industry has been incapable of clearing up after itself; it has simply accumulated waste and hoped that a solution will arrive. We now have the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which I support, but it has taken a long time to get there. The fact of the matter is that the nuclear industry cannot be trusted to deal with its own waste."