HC Deb 15 February 1977 vol 926 cc165-6W
Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps have been taken to ensure that safety precautions are being maintained at Windscale during the present industrial dispute.

Mr. Benn

All chemical processing operations at British Nuclear Fuels Ltd's. (BNFL) Windscale works have been shut down. Plant required for safety purposes, including one reactor that is being run at reduced power to provide essential electricity and steam, is being operated by BNFL's site management. I am advised that the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, which is continuing its inspections at the site, is satisfied that the required safety standards are being maintained.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps are being taken to increase health checks in the light of the National Radiological Protection Board report that workers at Windscale may be more prone to contact malignant diseases of the bone marrow.

Mr. Benn

I am advised that the National Radiological Protection Board report indicates that there are no significant differences between the death rates from malignant diseases of the bone marrow or from cancer generally of male radiation workers at Windscale and those of the general male population of England and Wales, and that no increase in the very full health checks already undertaken is therefore called for.

Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if any survey is being conducted of retired workers at Windscale to see if they have been subject more than the average citizen to malignant diseases of the bone marrow; and if the results will be published.

Mr. Benn

I am advised by BNFL that full records of Windscale workers and pensioners who have died from such diseases are available, and summaries have already been published. A pilot study is now in progress to establish whether it is feasible to extend these statistics to cover all who worked at Windscale at some time but moved on to other jobs. If a method is found to produce reliable results the comprehensive statistics will be published in due course.