Oral Question: Nuclear Waste Strategy to DEFRA

Speech by Annette Brooke MP delivered to Eliot Morely MP on Thu 2nd Feb 2006

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.