HC Deb 24 July 1986 vol 102 cc581-2
5. Mr. Gerald Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the United Kingdom warning and monitoring organisation holds radiac equipment capable of measuring levels of radiation in the air; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Yes, Sir. The United Kingdom warning and monitoring organisation holds fixed and portable radiation survey meters capable of measuring radiation doses in air.

Mr. Bowden

I thank my hon. Friend for his answer and the reassurance that he has given. Can he give us a further assurance that the equipment held by the United Kingdom warning and monitoring organisation is capable of properly measuring the levels of radiation after Chernobyl?

Mr. Shaw

My hon. Friend will be aware that there is a thorough examination of all aspects of that accident. As to the capacity of such meters to measure radiation dosage from Chernobyl, the answer is no, because the rated radiation was so low that it could not be measured by the meters that are used.

Mr. Stephen Ross

Are steps being taken to assist county civil defence officers in measuring emissions of radiation? Reports to my authority in the Isle of Wight depicted a scene whereby the local officer did not know how to answer questions by the general public.

Mr. Shaw

The hon. Gentleman is quite right. A number of details, both of communication and the type of radiation measurement that would be suitable for such an incident, are to be worked out in the post-Chernobyl examination.

Mr. Neil Thorne

In view of the natural public concern over unseen dangerous rays, will my hon. Frend consider following the lead taken by the Japanese in showing graphically precisely what levels are likely to occur by way of X-rays, from sun, from travelling by air, and from the kind of accident that took place in Chernobyl?

Mr. Shaw

My hon. Friend is quite right. There is a real difficulty in transmitting to the public the information in a form that would enable them to understand it. It is not easy, for example, that the scientific measurement of radiation rays has just changed from the basis of rems and rads to the basis of grays and centigrays. I shall consider the point that my hon. Friend has made as part of the review of all these issues in relation to the Chernobyl incident.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Banks.

Mr. Tony Banks

No. 5, Sir.

Hon. Members

No. 6.