Written Question · S2W-00695 · Session 2
Whether it has a policy on the siting of a nuclear waste disposal facility in the Highlands and Islands; whether it is appropriate to dispo…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a policy on the siting of a nuclear waste disposal facility in the Highlands and Islands; whether it is appropriate to dispose of nuclear waste in that area; what its role would be in any plans to dispose of nuclear waste there, and whether any such plans would be open to public consultation.
The answer
The Scottish Executive is committed to the current UK-wide process to establish the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM). CoRWM will consider all options for Intermediate and High Level Waste. No decisions have been taken about what to do with the waste, and so questions about siting at this stage are hypothetical. Openness and transparency is essential in order to inspire public confidence on radioactive waste management issues. Therefore, following CoRWM's recommendations to ministers, there will be a public debate on how to implement the preferred option(s). The management of radioactive waste is a devolved matter, as are the land-use planning and environmental control regimes. Decisions about policy on radioactive waste storage and disposal in Scotland are, therefore, for the Scottish ministers and Parliament.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-00695 by reference.