§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the gamma radiation levels of sand near Whitehaven harbour are likely to increase; at what level they are thought likely to produce risks to members of the public; and what steps he proposes to take to keep such levels down to a minimum.
§ Mr. ShoreI expect the levels to fall as a consequence of improvements already being undertaken by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. at Windscale. At the highest current level a person would exceed the internationally recognised limit for members of the public of 0.5 rem per year only if he was in direct contact with exposed mud patches for up to about 120 hours a week. I propose to continue to keep a close control on all discharges.