§ 3.2 p.m
§ Lord Clinton-Davis asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ When they propose to publish the report of a Government-sponsored study by researchers from St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, into the level and effects thereof of the radioactive isotope Iodine 125 in the River Thames and what proposals they intend to make based on the study.
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, the research work on Iodine 125 commissioned by the Department of the Environment and being carried out by St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College will not he completed until March 1991. A first draft of the report 1322 was received by the department this month. It is currently being reviewed by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution and any Government proposals will be based on the inspectorate's recommendations. The report will be published in due course and copies will be placed in the Library.
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, while I thank the Minister for that reply, is he aware that the leader of the research team, Dr. Bowlt, has alleged that his study is being hampered by reason of the fact that the Government have failed to produce information concerning the total amount of radioactive waste being dumped in London?
§ Lord Clinton-DavisI am quoting, my Lords. Dr. Bowlt said:
We don't know how much is coming out of the hospitals. These details are crucial for our calculations".Will the Minister confirm that that is an accurate reflection of what was said by Dr. Bowlt? What do the Government propose to do to stop hampering the researchers in their crucial investigations?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, the Government are not in any way hampering the research. It must be remembered that the research was commissioned by the Department of the Environment. The department does not maintain a central record of the quantities of low-level radioactive waste disposed of through local disposal routes or specific disposal locations. The Government would not commission such research if they felt that there was anything to hide.
The Earl of HalsburyMy Lords, have we not listened to an account of the leakage of radioactive iodine into the Thames, accompanied by a leakage of a report which the Government do not see fit to publish for the time being and by reading of a supplementary question?
§ Lord HeskethThe noble Earl is correct in saying that there is a certain amount of discharge of radioactive waste into the Thames. However, it is worth remembering that the levels of radioactivity in the Thames are extremely low and the levels in drinking water are well below guideline values for potable water recommended by the World Health Organisation.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, as a matter of record, is the House aware that the noble Earl, Lord Halsbury, was totally wrong and out of order in his question regarding the supplementary question of my noble friend, who was perfectly in order in quoting from the report?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Belstead)My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Clinton-Davis, read from a report and then asked his question. I suggest that we complete this Question. I was going to say that we should then pass on to the next question, but this is the last.
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, do not those answers confirm the lack of wisdom of the Government in resisting amendments to Part V of the 1323 Environmental Protection Bill which sought to ensure that local authorities were at least informed about permits granted by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution for the disposal of radioactive waste? Does the Minister recall that in the Dudley case he failed to give a categorical assurance that local authorities should have the right to know when such permits are granted? Does not the evidence adduced by my noble friend Lord Clinton-Davis confirm that we were right to press the amendments and that the Government were wrong to resist them?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I fear that your Lordships' House disagreed with the amendments. I can assure the noble Lord, Lord McIntosh, that come October we shall have ample opportunity to go over this important ground once more.
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyMy Lords, perhaps I may take the opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed facing the noble Lord across the Dispatch Box over the past 18 months in his capacity in the department which he is now leaving.
§ Lord Clinton-DavisMy Lords, perhaps I may say that I am terribly sorry that I have upset the noble Earl, Lord Halsbury, but he tends to be easily upset. Can the Minister say whether the indications given by the leader of the research team conflict with assertions that have previously been made that this particular isotope breaks down before it enters the food chain? Does the Minister agree that if there is a conflict, the sooner it can be cleared up the better?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution is reviewing the evidence that has been presented. It would be wholly improper for me to anticipate its conclusions on this important matter.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, on this very important matter will the noble Lord confirm that Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution is unable to undertake regular monitoring of the Thames and of the dumping of nuclear waste in London because it is understaffed? Is he able to say when the inspectorate will be properly staffed in order that that work may be carried out properly?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, vigorous efforts have been made to increase the staff at HMIP. One of the greatest difficulties is not a question of money but a shortage of people with the right skills. It is for that reason that the department is holding discussions with a university with a view to introducing a course which will expand the available skills so that these important jobs can be done by more people in the future.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, the noble Lord said "in consultation with a university". What does that mean and how long has that consultation been taking place? Is the consultation taking place with all the universities in this country so that the inspectorate can be really effective?
§ Lord HeskethMy Lords, I said "a university" because this aspect is very wide of the Question on the 1324 Order Paper. I believe that I am correct in saying—and I will write to the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos, if I am wrong—that it is an M.Sc. course.