HC Deb 12 December 1988 vol 143 cc406-7W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (I) if he will consider reducing the action level of radon gas attracting grant aid by 50 per cent. to 200 bq/cu m measured by an approved laboratory following a 12-month continuous survey; and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he will consider when recommending new action levels for radon gas, setting the same level for domestic and occupational exposure; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The action level for radon was recommended by the National Radiological Protection Board. The board has a statutory responsibility to advise Government on matters of radiological protection. They are keeping the level under review. Any recommendation from the board to reduce levels would be considered very carefully. The responsibility for administering regulatory controls on occupational exposure to radon rests with the Health and Safety Executive, which is also advised by the board.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider an extension to the provisions of mandatory house renovation grants to include all dwellings with radon levels above the action level irrespective of their age or their ability to meet the other qualifying condition of grant aid for housing; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

No.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider producing advice and guidance for local authorities on the administrative procedures to be adopted when giving grants for work in dwellings with levels of radon above the action level as proposed by the Institution of Environmental Health Officers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

My Department wrote on 30 November to the local authority associations inviting their comments on draft guidance on the way in which authorities might consider applications for improvement grants toward the cost of radon remedial work. We await their comments.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider the inclusion within any forthcoming legislation on housing, reference to external factors that may affect the internal environment of the dwelling caused by poisonous substances including radon gas, methane from refuse tips or contamination from industrial operations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Trippier

We are considering the scope of the work which will be eligible for grant aid under our proposals for legislation to reform the improvement grant system.