§ 12. Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent studies his Department has made into the pollution of the Northern Ireland coastline by Sellafield.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Richard Needham)There has been regular monitoring since 1977 and the levels found have been of negligible radiological significance to the Northern Ireland public. Since October 1985 Northern Ireland has been included in a United Kingdom-wide research programme, which will also provide information on the levels of radioactivity along the Northern Ireland coastline.
§ Mr. WallaceI am grateful to the Minister for that response. I am pleased to hear that monitoring has taken place. He will be aware that in the Republic of Ireland there is considerable anxiety and concern about pollution caused by discharges from Sellafield. Now that Sellafield has an open house policy, will the Minister take the opportunity at the next meeting of Anglo-Irish Ministers to invite politicians from the Republic of Ireland to visit Sellafield and see the reprocessing plant for themselves?
§ Mr. NeedhamNo, Sir. The problems of Sellafield have nothing whatsoever to do with me. However, I shall bring the hon. Gentleman's points to the attention of the responsible Minister. As I said, we have three different ways of going about monitoring in Northern Ireland. There is no significant pollution of any sort.