§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy on making available to independent researchers all records held by his Department of environmental monitoring around licensed nuclear installations; and if he will describe the arrangements under which such records may be used by independent researchers.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonMuch of the environmental monitoring around licensed nuclear installations is undertaken by the operators as a condition of their authorisations under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. Summaries of the environmental monitoring data are regularly published for the benefit of local liaison committees. The more detailed information remains the property of the site operators and requests to consult it should be addressed to them.
The monitoring carried out by this Department provides independent verification of the accuracy and reliability of the site operators' data. Summaries of the information gathered on the aquatic environment are published annually and copies placed in the library of the House. Summaries of the information obtained in the terrestrial environment will be published annually from next year. The Ministry is always prepared to make available relevant data to the fullest practicable extent on written application.