§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what facilities and instrumentation are in use to provide regular measurements of external radiation dose-rate, cumulative external radiation dose, and radioiodine concentrations in the air in the vicinity of nuclear facilities.
§ Mr. MellorEach operator is required under conditions attached to the nuclear site license to make suitable and sufficient measurements of(a) ionizing radiation (b) surface contamination (c) airborne contamination, so far as is necessary to ensure compliance with site licence conditions. In addition, specific requirements for monitoring the environment around nuclear facilities are imposed as conditions of the authorisations of radioactive discharge. Monitoring surveys are regularly carried out by mobile monitoring units stationed at each site. Radioiodine concentrations are regularly monitored through milk sampling.
§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans exist for the implementation of (a) sheltering and (b) evacuation of the public in the event of a radiation accident at a nuclear power facility.
§ Mr. MellorEach nuclear power station has, as a condition of the nuclear site licence granted by the Health and Safety Executive, a site emergency plan. This plan includes provision for advice to be given to the police on measures to protect the public in the event of an emergency at the site. Such advice could be to take shelter or to evacuate depending on the circumstances of the accident and the prevailing weather conditions.
§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Energy what methods of personal protection will be dispensed for public use in the event of a radiation accident at a nuclear power facility.
§ Mr. MellorIf as a result of an accident a release of radioactivity was considered likely to affect the public in the vicinity of the site, potassium iodate tablets would be issued by the police on the advice of the operator to the public in the affected area.
§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Energy if residents who live in the vicinity of nuclear facilities are informed periodically of the basis of the emergency response plan which will be implemented and emergency instructions which will be given by the authorities in the event of a radiation accident; and by what means they are kept informed.
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§ Mr. MellorInformation on emergency arrangements at nuclear sites is available to the public through the local liaison committees. These committees are organised by the operators, meet regularly, and include a wide representation of local interests, such as district councillors, parish councillors, and farmers unions. Copies of site emergency plans are also available to the public at local libraries.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy which nuclear power facilities are equipped with instrumentation to provide on-site measurements of (a) precipitation, (b) temperature gradients enabling prediction of atmosphere stability class, (c) inversion base height and (d) upper air movements.
§ Mr. MellorIn the event of an emergency at a nuclear site, there are standing arrangements under which the local meteorological office provide to the operator at short notice detailed weather information for his area. Such information would give all the essential data required by the operator to make his assessment of the path and consequences of any release of activity.