HL Deb 17 July 1974 vol 353 cc1191-4

6.19 p.m.

LORD WELLS-PESTELL rose to move, That the Draft National Radiological Protection Board (Extension of Functions) Order 1974, laid before the House on July 1, 1974, be approved.

The noble Lord said: My Lords, I beg to move the National Radiological Protection Board (Extension of Functions) Order. Your Lordships will find that this is not a controversial measure.

The National Radiological Protection Board was set up under the Radiological Protection Act 1970 to carry out research into the hazards arising from ionising radiations and to give advice and information about them. By way of explanation, as I understand it, this sort of radiation is the radiation emitted by radioactive substances such as radium or cobalt in medical uses and during the operation of X-ray apparatus whether for treatment or in industry. These radiations can kill living cells and bring about mutations, so it is obviously very important to take protective measures to avoid accidental exposure to them. However, there is another form of electromagnetic radiation which is not ionising but which in various forms can also create hazards for the public or for workers. As I understand it, these are radiations such as ultra violet light, infra red light, microwaves and radio waves. Within that range of radiations damage can be caused to living cells by inducing heat in the cells as, for example, happens with microwave ovens with which some of your Lordships may be familiar. Another source of hazard which is of interest to-day is the damage which can arise from the use of lasers which provide an intense source of energy.

In view of the significant increases in the uses of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiations since 1970, such as the increased use of microwave ovens in commercial and domestic premises and of lasers in research, medical treatment and in industry, especially engineering, the Government and their predecessors have felt that a focal point is now required for the United Kingdom's efforts in relation to protection in this field and for the dissemination of information. Provision is made in Section 1(6)(a) of the Radiological Protection Act for the range of functions of the National Radiological Protection Board to be extended in this way, for the possible need had been foreseen. If your Lordships are agreeable to the Order laid before you, it will be possible for the National Radiological Protection Board to develop its expertise in this field further, and to enter into co-operative relationships with the organisations which are using or studying these radiations. I beg to move.

Moved, That the Draft National Radiological Protection Board (Extension of Functions) Order 1974, laid before the House on July 1, 1974, be approved.—(Lord Wells-Pestell.)

LORD WYNNE-JONES

My Lords, I should like to ask my noble friend some questions about this Order, which is an extremely important one. As I understand it, it is an Order which uses a clause in the Radiological Protection Act that allowed for its extension in exactly this way. Is it proposed that the National Radiological Protection Board should in future be able to carry out investigation into all fields concerning radiation? This is vital for the future. As my noble friend has rightly said, we have a number of forms of radiation which have been coming into use and which are not controlled at all. For example, ultra-violet lamps which are sold for medical purposes. There is surprisingly little control over these and much risk can be attached to the use of them. I should like to know whether it is the intention that in future this will come under the National Radiological Protection Board which will be expected to carry out investigations in all these fields. Incidentally, there is one other field to which attention has frequently ben called in the Press in connection with supersonic aircraft, and that is the possible breakdown of the ozone layer. The risks are sometimes exaggerated but, nevertheless, there is a certain risk. The ozone layer is virtually our only protection on the earth against ultra-violet radiation. So it is important that work should be done.

As a result of this Order, when is the National Radiological Protection Board expected to take some responsibility for the whole field of radiation? It seems to me it will necessarily be involved in connection with the Health and Safety at Work Bill which we have previously considered in your Lordships' House. The Commission set up under that Bill is responsible for looking after all the different fields of health and safety at work, and one of the fields is radiation hazards inside works.

Will the Commission be entitled to pay the National Radiological Protection Board for work which it expects to be done on its behalf? I am not very clear about this, because the Radiological Protection Act specifically mentions the Atomic Energy Authority and the Medical Research Council as the two bodies which can contribute. Equally, it seems to me that the new Health and Safety Commission should be able to contribute towards the work.

LORD SOMERS

My Lords, I have one question that I should like to ask. We have heard of the proposed expansion of nuclear power stations. Have the Government any plans for the disposal of nuclear waste? I understand that nuclear waste is dangerous to those who are working in the power stations and anybody in the vicinity.

LORD WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, if I may be permitted to reply to the noble Lord, Lord Somers, frankly, I do not know what the Government's plans are in relation to nuclear waste; but I will make a point of finding out and letting the noble Lord know. I am sorry that I cannot answer him at this stage. Regarding the questions put by my noble friend Lord Wynne-Jones, the reply generally to what he has had to say is, "Yes, this will be within the scope and function of the Board". However, having said that, the function of the Board is three-fold: one is research, the other is advice and the third function is technical service, but not executive control. It may help if I say that, as my noble friend Lord Wynne-Jones knows very well because he is an authority in these matters, there are many organisations with an interest in non-ionising electromagnetic radiations, including the National Physical Laboratory, the Central Electricity Generating Board, the B.B.C. and the Medical Research Council, which produced a report on the hazardous effects of microwaves in 1970. I ought to point out the Home Office are responsible for administering a safety code of intense radio frequency radiations drawn up under the aegis of the Post Office in 1960.

The Board will consult these and other interested authorities as the need arises. My noble friend Lord Wynne-Jones also referred to the Health and Safety at Work Bill which was before your Lordships only a few days ago before going to another place. In Clause 73 the Board are required to carry out the proposed Health and Safety Commission's functions relating to radiation if so directed by the Health Ministers. The essence of the clause is that it makes the board the agent of the Commission and, as such, the Board will have certain functions to carry out. The Board will be paid by the Health and Safety Commission for the work it undertakes.

On Question, Motion agreed to.