§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many times the national arrangements for incidents involving radioactivity scheme has been implemented since its inception;
(2) how many qualified persons have been appointed to advise in the event of the national arrangements for incidents involving radioactivity scheme being implemented;
(3) what is the annual budget for the national arrangements for incidents involving radioactivity scheme.
§ Mr. WaldegraveBetween 1964 and 1983, which is the last year for which complete figures are available, the national arrangements for incidents involving radioactivity were invoked on 288 occasions. Of those, 61 were hoaxes or false alarms.
The NAIR scheme ensures that the police, when faced with an incident involving radioactivity, and for which no other pre-arranged source of assistance is available, have ready access to whatever level of expert advice and assistance may be required to ensure the safety of the public. It is activated in the first instance by the police who call upon their nearest specified expert as necessary. Ninety participating establishments provide voluntary support. These include hospitals, nuclear power stations and research establishments.
The National Radiological Protection Board, who administer the scheme centrally, have no specific funding in respect of NAIR.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the annual budget for information to the public concerning the safety of items manufactured for public use which emit radiation at levels constituting a potential risk to health.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy Department has no such annual budget. The Department of Trade and Industry intend to introduce regulations requiring prior approval by the310W National Radiological Protection Board of any household products containing radioactive material before these are supplied for sale to members of the public. In the meantime, should any items constituting a potential risk come to the Government's notice, relevant information will be provided as necessary.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many circulars have been issued and on which dates to councils' emergency services and hospitals concerning the procedure to be followed in the event that an item for public use emitting potentially dangerous levels of radioactivity is found.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIn the event of any radioactive item being found by members of the public, the national arrangements for incidents involving radioactivity are invoked by the police who will call upon their nearest specified expert for assistance. Information on the NAIR scheme has been published by the NRPB. Circulars relating to NAIR have been issued by Government Departments including the DHSS and the Home Office. I shall write to the hon. Member with details.