To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report all methods of disposal used by the Medical Research Council for irradiated rodent carcases since such disposals have been required following research; and what current licensing arrangements exist for disposal.

The disposal routes for such carcases used by the Medical Research Council are:

1. Maceration followed by disposal to the sewer, or,

2. Incineration and landfill.

The disposal of irradiated rodent carcases is subject to authorisation by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. Authorisations are issued only after careful assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed disposals.