The review of radioactive waste management policy

The final conclusions of the Government's Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy was set out in a White Paper (Cm 2919) issued in July 1995. The review was announced by the Secretary of State for the Environment on May 19th, 1994. Some 250 responses were received, including one from this institution. The review also collected over 5,000 letters from members of the public. All responses have been taken into account in the White Paper's conclusions. The review was carried out in parallel with the Government's examination on the future prospects for nuclear power: 'The Nuclear Review'. Details of that White Paper (Cm 2860) were summarised in an article in 'The Nuclear Engineer', issue No. 3, May/June 1995. The purpose of the review on radioactive waste was to examine current policy in the light of changes that have taken place since the Government's National Strategy was published in 1984. The primary aim of the National Strategy was to ensure radioactive waste, irrespective of whether it was produced by the public or private sector, is properly managed and that people and the environment are not exposed to unacceptable risks, either now or in the future. (author)