HC Deb 26 October 1987 vol 121 cc7-8W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to consult the public at any stage about the new national response plan for nuclear accidents.

The Prime Minister

I announced the main features of the plan on 30 June. More detailed proposals for implementing a national radiation incident monitoring network will be published in due course.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Prime Minister whether she proposes to publish the Cabinet Office review of existing emergency plans and procedures for major nuclear accidents in the light of experience of the Chernobyl accident, referred to in her statement of 18 December 1986.

The Prime Minister

It is not the practice to publish internal Cabinet Office working documents.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Prime Minister what representations she has received calling for a public inquiry into the British official response to the Chernobyl nuclear accident and what response she has made.

The Prime Minister

Apart from the hon. Gentleman's letter of 26 August 1986, to which I replied on 28 October 1986, I have received two requests for a public inquiry in letters dated 30 June 1986 and 2 September 1987 from the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark). In my replies I explained why an inquiry of the kind he suggested would not be justified.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government intend to observe the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection for the protection of the public in the event of major radiation accidents.

The Prime Minister

The National Radiological Protection Board has a statutory duty to advise the Government on radiation dose limits. In its publication ERL 2, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, it gives criteria for limiting doses to the public in the event of accidental exposure to radiation. This guidance is generally consistent with that given in the relevant International Commission on Radiological Protection publication—Publication 40—and in some cases is more stringent.

The ICRP is at present reconsidering its recommendations in respect of risk estimates. The Government will consider, in due course, any revised advice from the NRPB in the light of ICRP deliberations.