To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many sites in the United Kingdom are authorised under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 to dispose of (a) low level and (b) very low level radioactive waste. (156449)

The Environment Agency authorises the accumulation and disposal of radioactive wastes under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. According to national data, in England and Wales there are some 535 waste producing sites that are authorised to dispose of low level radioactive waste and some 560 waste producing sites that are authorised to dispose of very low level radioactive wastes. Some waste producing sites will hold authorisations for both low level and very low level radioactive waste disposal.