§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he possesses on the levels of radioactive contamination at the Riverside boatyard, Balloch in Dumbarton; and what steps are being taken to decontaminate the site.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Scottish Office Environment Department has information about the site of the former radium works at Balloch including records of radiological surveys. All such information has been made available to Dumbarton district council and has been taken into account in a recent survey instigated by the district council in relation to its responsiblity for land use planning. The results of this survey have been sent to Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate which is assisting the district council in its consideration of the findings.
Remedial action was taken at the site in 1963 in order to remove the health hazard which had been identified. Any further action taken in respect of the ground contamination must have regard to the proposed future use of the land. The responsibility for any such action would rest, in the first instance, with the owner of the land. The planning authority could attach appropriate conditions to the grant of any consent for development of the site.