HC Deb 11 November 1957 vol 577 cc590-2
18. Mr. Mason

asked the Paymaster-General what information he has regarding the relative dangers of radioactivity to people living near atomic power stations as compared with the dangers apparent at Windscale; and what steps he is taking by prescribing suitable safety measures or otherwise to reassure the public on this point.

Mr. Renton

The report by the Medical Research Council published as Annex III of the White Paper on the accident at Windscale No. 1 Pile makes clear that it is in the highest degree unlikely that any harm has been done to the health of anybody, whether a worker in the Wind-scale plant or a member of the general public, as a result of the accident. Annex V of that same White Paper explains why the accident which happened at Wind-scale could not happen with the Calder Hall reactors or with the reactors being built for the electricity authorities.

Mr. Mason

While I do not dispute the point as regards health, I ask the Minister whether he is aware that public confidence has been shattered since the Windscale accident, and that the immediate priority should be to restore that confidence.

Is he aware that at least three things should be done? First of all, it should be announced that we are willing to install a public alarm system— [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] Is he aware that a public alarm system should be installed immediately to make people aware of increased radioactive fall-out so that they can take cover? Secondly, a public monitoring system should be introduced so that we do not fall into the same trap as did people suffering from tuberculosis or pneumoconiosis, when they were afraid to go for X-ray examination because their fears might have been realised?

Mr. Speaker

This is really a very long supplementary question. I hope the hon. Gentleman will bring it to a conclusion.

Mr. Mason

Might I just make my point, Mr. Speaker, and say, thirdly, that there should be an independent inspectorate introduced so that we may receive impartial and independent reports from it on these accidents?

Mr. Renton

In the first place, if public confidence was shaken at all by what happened at Windscale, I should have thought that, so far as Calder Hall and the Electricity Authority's nuclear power stations are concerned, confidence should be completely restored by what has been stated in the White Paper and by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Concerning the last point made by the hon. Member, I should tell him that the Atomic Energy Authority has prepared safety regulations for Bradwell power station and that a permanent safety staff is now engaged in preparing a formal safety code of procedure for both the design and the operation of nuclear reactors. The various matters which were raised in the middle of the hon. Member's long supplementary question will, of course, receive consideration.

Mr. Robens

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the White Paper makes it perfectly clear that this incident could not happen in a normal atomic power station and that, therefore, foreign buyers should not be alarmed about the prospects that might materialise if they purchase British atomic power stations?

Mr. Renton

Yes, Sir. What the right hon. Gentleman says is perfectly true, largely for the reason that Windscale was an air-cooled open circuit, whereas Calder Hall and the nuclear electricity power station reactors will have carbon dioxide cooling on a closed circuit. For this and other reasons which are stated in the White Paper, public confidence should be completely restored.

22. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Paymaster-General whether he will hold a public inquiry into the proposal to site an atomic power station within the Snowdonia National Park.

Mr. Renton

My noble Friend has decided to hold a public inquiry in this case.

Mr. Blenkinsop

While welcoming that decision very much indeed, may I ask the hon. and learned Gentleman to take the opportunity of ensuring that there is a full inquiry into the whole question of the siting of atomic power stations in view of the serious amenity consideration to be borne in mind, and that they will not be dealt with merely item by item?

Mr. Renton

Some such inquiries have already taken place, and they have been very full inquiries indeed. Other inquiries will take place as and when necessary. On each of these occasions, the general policy concerning the siting of nuclear power stations comes under consideration, and I should have thought that that was the best way of dealing with the matter.