Mr. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether his Department has carried out studies into the efficiency of the filtration system for gaseous discharges from Magnox nuclear reactors; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael Spicer[pursuant to his reply, 10 July, c. 288]: My Department has not carried out studies into the efficiency of filtration systems and gaseous discharges from Magnox reactors.
However, certificates of authorisation granted under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 set an upper limit to the amount of radioactivity which may be released and, in addition, require that Mannox operators employ best practical means to minimise releases. In part this is achieved by the use of appropriate filtrations and the CEGB carries out regular checks on the efficiency of the filters used in its Mannox reactors. The NII would, as part of its inspections, monitor these checks.