§ Mr. GarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if Her Majesty's inspector of pollution will establish the number of ionising smoke detectors disposed of in household rubbish and the safety implications of the accumulation of radioactive material in waste tips from such disposals.
§ Mr. AtkinsDisposal of smoke detectors containing very small radioactive sources is controlled under the terms of the Radioactive Substances (Smoke Detectors) Exemption Order 1980, as amended, made under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The order provides exemption from regulation under the full requirements of the Act but imposes limits and conditions on the accumulation and disposal of these articles. These requirements are designed to ensure that public and environmental safety is fully maintained and Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution is satisfied that this is the case. Because these sources are of very low radiological significance, it is not necessary to record the numbers disposed of in refuse.