§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the research reactor at Queen Mary college, Stratford, East London, was established; what consideration is given, in allowing its continued operation, to the fact that it is in a heavily-populated 536W area; what precautions exist to deal with any possible accident or terrorist take-over; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonQueen Mary college forms part of the University of London and is an autonomous institution, responsible for administering its own affairs. I am advised by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the college research reactor is operated under a nuclear site licence which was granted in July 1966 in accordance with the provisions of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965. The college is responsible as the licensee for the safe operation of the reactor in compliance with the conditions attached to the licence bv the Health and Safety Executive in the interests of safety. One of these conditions requires the college to make arrangements approved by the Health and Safety Executive for dealing with any accident or emergency on the site. There is, however, no risk of a significant release of radioactivity outside the licenced site and no hazard to members of the public.
I understand from the college that a security system, approved by the local police and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority security service, is in operation.