HC Deb 24 March 1986 vol 94 cc591-2
2. Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how regularly his Department monitors radioactive discharges from nuclear installations into the environment in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Mark Robinson)

Monitoring of radioactive discharges from nuclear installations in Wales is carried out by Her Majesty's radiochemical inspectorate on our behalf. Its programme includes quarterly sampling of liquid discharges from both Trawsfynydd and Wylfa power stations. This is in addition to monitoring by the operators themselves to meet Welsh Office requirements.

The effects of discharges to the atmosphere and to the aquatic environment are monitored on our behalf by the food science division and the fisheries radiological inspectorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Mr. Thomas

I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he confirm the information that I have been given by the Central Electricity Generating Board, that the discharge from Trawsfynydd, which included some radioactive particulate matter, did not present any radiological hazard to the public?

Mr. Robinson

I am able to confirm that. The incident at Trawsfynydd is now under investigation, and reports from various bodies are expected in the near future.

Mr. Grist

Will my hon. Friend see that his Department constantly gives every reassurance to the public on the safety of nuclear power generation? Nuclear power is of great advantage to many of our competitors and to the people of Scotland, who get cheaper electricity because 40 per cent. of it is generated by nuclear power?

Mr. Robinson

I can give that assurance. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy illustrated that point a few days ago when he said that the safety record of the nuclear industry in the United Kingdom continues to be second to none.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Is the Minister aware that the public are becoming increasingly concerned about the hazards posed by nuclear installations? For example, does he realise that there is a recognition in the Severnside area that it needs another such power station like it needs a hole in the head? If the CEGB attempts to walk in the face of popular feeling, it will meet the strongest possible resistance.

Mr. Robinson

I strongly refute the comments made by the hon. Gentleman. Authorisation of discharges in Severnside rests with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Aquatic monitoring of the Severn takes place regularly, and sites in Gwent are included in the station monitoring procedures. The Welsh Office keeps in close touch with all Departments concerned. The public can rest assured that monitoring is carried out effectively and continuously.

Sir Raymond Gower

Is it not a fact that the nuclear power industry has had a remarkable history of safety rather than of danger? To that extent, has it not been much safer than other industries, including even the coal industry?

Mr. Robinson

I thank my hon. Friend for that remark. I can confirm that that is the case. It is important not to get carried away by scare stories which do not have any basis in reality.