HC Deb 27 April 1998 vol 311 cc32-3W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the cost to(a) Welsh farmers and (b) his Department of the radioactive fall-out from the Chernobyl accident; and what are the figures for each year since the accident for the area determined as restricted in Wales as a result of the accident. [39674]

Mr. Win Griffiths

The main economic effect of the Chernobyl accident in 1986 has been on the sheep farming industry in North Wales. The direct cost to Welsh farmers, measured in terms of disruption to their enterprises and for which compensation has been paid since 1986, is over £8.9 million. Information on the specific costs to the Welsh Office arising from the Chernobyl accident is not available because staff and effort allocated to this work varies according to the circumstances.

Figures for each year of the area determined as restricted in Wales as a consequence of the accident are as follows:

Year Restricted area (square kilometres)
1986 4,100
October 1986—December 1990 848
1991 839
1992 832
1993 734
1994 677
1995 647
1996 580
1997 580
1998 530