HC Deb 23 July 1979 vol 971 c45W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1), outside the Stromness area of the Orkney Islands, whether there are any other locations in the United Kingdom where the uranium content of the ore is more than 0.2 per cent. and above;

(2) what is the length and width of the uranium corridor in the Orkney Islands and the grade of agricultural land; and whether the uranium ores extend on to the continental shelf;

(3) at what depth is the uranium ore in the Stromness area; and what are the types of mineralisation and the strengths of radiation emitted;

(4) how many mines will be required for exploiting uranium in the Stromness area; where waste materials would be located; and how radon gas would be disposed of and water pollution;

(5) what is his estimate of the uranium reserves on the Orkney Islands.

Mr. Rifkind

These questions relate to the policy on uranium set out in the Orkney structure plan which is at present before my right hon. Friend, and the issues raised by my hon. Friend were discussed during an examination in public of the plan earlier this year. The report of the examination, which has recently come to my right hon. Friend, will be published in due course along with his decision on the structure plan.

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