§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has been notified of any spillage of any nuclear material connected with the Dounreay fast reactor.
§ Mr. BennI have been informed of a minor incident in the laboratories at Dounreay on 15th February 1977. In the course of decontaminating an active liquid drain pipe line, a drum used to hold sediment from the drain leaked and caused a small amount of contamination outside the controlled area. I am informed that no one was exposed to any radiation hazard and that the sediment and contaminated earth were disposed of under authorised arrangements. The incident was not connected with the Dounreay fast reactor. The incident was reportable under the arrangements announced to the House on 2nd February 1977, since it involved some contamination outside a controlled area, and it will therefore be included in the quarterly report to be published by the HSE.