Q518 Mr. Dave Anderson: Dr Clowes, you said in your evidence that the waste would be twice as hot and twice as radioactive, and that is repeated in the written statement. The written statement quotes Mr Hugh Richards of the Wales Anti-Nuclear Alliance saying "We would be entering completely unknown territory if we use high burn-up uranium fuel." How do you know and is there anything we can look to that shows this fuel will be twice as hot and twice as radioactive, if it is completely unknown what we are getting into?

Dr Clowes: Hugh Richards I regard as an authority by now on this subject. The point he makes is that the fuel is burned for longer to a higher capacity and therefore becomes twice as radioactive. It is the company's way, I suppose, of trying to ensure greater productivity from the existing fuel.

Q519 Mr. Dave Anderson: Is there any evidence that shows it is twice as hot and twice as radioactive?

Dr Clowes: That I believe is the case, yes.

Q520 Mr. Dave Anderson: Is there any formal evidence that shows it?

Dr Clowes: I will refer that back to my colleague but I would certainly suggest that there is evidence. Hugh Richards is a very credible authority, I am sure he would not have said that otherwise.

Mr Duffy: If I could answer that, the NRA, the Nuclear Regulators in America, have written about this, it is on their website as far as I know.

Q521 Mr. Dave Anderson: Could you send that?

Dr Clowes: Certainly.

This is an uncorrected transcript of evidence taken in public and reported to the House. The transcript has been placed on the internet on the authority of the Committee. Neither witnesses nor Members have had the opportunity to correct the record. The transcript is not yet an approved formal record of these proceedings.

The full transcript may be read here.

Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT