Chief Minister Alf Cannan has confirmed the government has not engaged in direct discussions with UK authorities over a proposed nuclear waste disposal site on the Cumbrian coast.
He did however say a representative from the Manx government laboratory attends quarterly meetings of the West Cumbria Sites Stakeholder Group (WCSSG), with the next session scheduled for May.
The issue was raised in Tynwald by Jason Moorhouse, who noted a similar proposal was rejected by Cumbria County Council in 2013 due to local opposition.
Mr Moorhouse asked whether the Manx community had been referenced in UK documentation.
Mr Cannan replied: “These are fundamentally matters for the United Kingdom,” adding that geological disposal of high-activity radioactive waste would require community consent.
Opposition
Lawrie Hooper questioned whether the Manx government’s longstanding opposition to new nuclear waste sites near Sellafield remains policy.
Mr Cannan told him: “It would not be in our interests to see such a site developed.” He also stressed the UK holds decision-making power.
Chris Thomas called for a public briefing on the Isle of Man’s environmental monitoring of Sellafield, citing historical concerns which the Chief Minister agreed to saying he would ask DEFA to publish this.
He also confirmed that updates from the meetings have not yet been presented to the Council of Ministers, but Cannan said this would occur if policy decisions progress.
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