Letter: Sizewell B decision

Sir: Tom Wilkie is wrong to claim a 'notable piece of dithering' by HM Inspectorate of Pollution in considering the Sizewell B application ('Quiet meltdown of the atomic dream', 4 July).

The fact that a decision was not made earlier this year results from our acting in accordance with the High Court decision of 4 March in the Thorp case. The judgement in that case, by Mr Justice Potts, made it clear that there was a legal obligation to consider the issue of 'justification' when considering an application for authorisation under the Radioactive Substances Act. The further consultation period required expired last month.

We, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, are actively considering application in the light of those responses.

Yours sincerely,

DAVID SLATER

Director and Chief Inspector

HM Inspectorate of Pollution

London, SW1

6 July