1 Opening statement

I am pleased to have the opportunity to make an Opening Statement to your conference on the management of radioactive wastes, which by any standards is an important subject. Your Society provides a very valuable forum for the expert discussion of the broader questions of nuclear energy. I recall that, in 1981, you held a seminar on the environmental aspects of nuclear power, I am glad to see that you have returned to an environmental theme for this year's conference, which I understand is the first major conference to be held on radioactive waste management in this country. 1 congratulate the Society on assembling a wideranging and comprehensive collection of papers , which draws on scientific work and practical experience in a number of countries. It is fitting, as well as agreeable, that among those present today we have representatives of other countries besides the United Kingdom.