Final recommendations from the UK’s Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) were largely accepted by the government, but instead of setting-up an independent body to oversee the programme, the government now plans to set up an independent advisory body, the “new CoRWM,” which is causing concern in the Lords’ committee.
The committee recommends an independent, statutory body, independent of day-to-day government control and accountable to Parliament, with overall responsibility for implementing the geological disposal programme saying: “In particular, any proposals regarding site selection must be given full and careful consideration, rather than being rushed through in a matter of months.” The report concludes: “The government must acknowledge these deficiencies and seek to rectify them by establishing clearer lines of accountability and independent, expert scrutiny.”
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