Radon Gas

HC Deb 03 July 1987 vol 118 cc194-5W

Mr. Matthew Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department has budgeted for the provision of funds to schools that are found to contain a high level of radon gas within the next year.

Mr. Moynihan

Investigations of radon levels in schools are being undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board for the Cornwall county council, and the question of undertaking any remedial measures would be a matter for the County Council. Funds are not normally made available by central Government specifically for local authority remedial work to deal with particular problems, but rate support grant is paid in general support of local authorities' revenue expenditure. It is for the local authorities to decide their individual spending priorities.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when action will be taken on the 10 schools in Cornwall and Cornwall college at Pool which are above the recommended eventual action threshold for radon gas presence.

Mr. Moynihan

Cornwall county council, with the help of other agencies, will be investigating methods of reducing radon levels in six schools during the summer holidays. The results of this work will provide the council with a basis for deciding upon any further work.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when is the recommended action to remove radon gas from a house if it is found to be above the recommended level; and what is his estimate of how much this action would cost the average household.

Mr. Moynihan

It is too early to give specific advice on appropriate remedial measures or their costs. The Building Research Establishment is carrying out a programme of research on remedial and preventive measures, and further guidance and advice will be given in the light of this research.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the level of millisieverts of radon gas doses found in each school in the constituency of Truro.

Mr. Moynihan

This is a matter for Cornwall county council, for whom the National Radiological Protection Board have measured the average concentration of radon in selected schools, including a number in the Truro constituency.