Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what guidance his Department or the Environment Agency have issued to EDF regarding the removal of radioactively contaminated mud from the vicinity of Hinkley Point C to the other side of the Bristol Channel at Cardiff Grounds.

The Environment Agency has advised me that it is not aware of any guidance being issued to EDF on dredging of mud from the vicinity of Hinkley Point C. Permission to dispose of that mud at the Cardiff Grounds is a matter for Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales, who act for Welsh Ministers.

Licensing for marine disposal of sediments around the South Wales coastline is a devolved matter for Natural Resources Wales and the Welsh Government. Nuclear safety and environmental protection are of paramount importance to the UK Government. The UK has a strong regulatory system and companies involved in the civil nuclear industry are required to meet robust standards overseen by independent regulators.