§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what report he has received from British Nuclear Fuels Limited concerning the accident at the Windscale plant; if he will publish that report, together with the safe radiation-emission level and the highest level reached during the accident; and if he will confirm that full pension rights exist for dependants if death results from radiation effects at any time in the future.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanThe Inspectorate of Nuclear Installations is investigating the incident at Windscale on 26th September and British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. is holding an inquiry which is still proceeding. The amount of radioactivity released will be amongst the matters covered by the investigations. When these are completed I will consider whether it is necessary to publish a report.
Under the Nuclear Installations Acts, full provision is made for compensation in the event of death or injury from emission of ionising radiations on a licensed site. In addition the superannuation schemes, to which most employees belong, provide benefits for dependants on the death of a member from whatever cause.