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Managing Radioactive Waste Safely

Volume 563: debated on Monday 13 May 2013

The Government remain committed to geological disposal as the right policy for the long-term, safe and secure management of higher-activity radioactive waste. For the reasons I gave in my written ministerial statement on 31 January 2013, Official Report, column 54WS (www.gov.uk/government/ speeches/written-ministerial-statement-by-edward-davey-on-the-management-of-radioactive-waste) I remain confident that the objective of the managing radioactive waste safely (MRWS) programme is sound and will be put into effect, and that a site for a geological disposal facility (GDF) will be found.

Further to my previous statement, I can now confirm that the Government will today launch a call for evidence on the site selection process of the managing radioactive waste safely (MRWS) programme. The evidence provided in response to this call will inform a public consultation later this year.

The invitation remains open for communities to come forward and express an interest, without commitment, in the site selection process for a GDF.