§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether water effluent from the Royal ordnance factory at Burghfield contains alpha radiation; if it does, in what quantities; how these quantities compare with internationally accepted safety standards; and whether he intends to take additional measures to reduce such quantities still further.
§ Mr. PattieLiquid effluent discharged from the Royal ordnance factory at Burghfield contains, from time to416W time, very low levels of waste radioactive substances which emit alpha particles. Discharges containing such substances are analysed and the levels of activity determined before their release. Discharges are carried out in accordance with the terms of and within agreed limits set out in formal agreements made with the Department of Environment. Even these limits are only a minute proportion of the limits recommended by the International Commission for Radiological Protection for the general public. The discharge arrangements are subject to inspection by the radiochemical inspectorate of the DOE, and are reviewed regularly. Every reasonably practicable opportunity is taken to reduce the levels still further.