To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department holds on (a) levels of participation in stakeholder meetings held by the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management and (b) the reimbursement of travel costs for participants in such meetings; and if he will take steps to increase public access to such meetings. (263816)

The independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) provides independent scrutiny of the Government’s and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s proposals, plans and programmes to deliver geological disposal, together with robust interim storage, as the long-term option for the UK’s higher activity radioactive waste.

CoRWM are well known for their positive approach to public and stakeholder engagement and information on participation at specific stakeholder events is placed on their website (www.corwm.org.uk) within published meeting reports.

It is CoRWM practice to reimburse reasonable travel, subsistence or accommodation costs. The committee also carefully consider the timing and location of events in order to help stakeholders to participate more easily.