§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the estimated period during which it will be unsafe for (a) human beings and (b) animals to land on Gruinard Island;
(2) what is the estimated cost of decontaminating Gruinard Island from anthrax spores.
§ Mr. PattieA survey of the island was undertaken in 1979 to establish the level and extent of continuing contamination. The results are expected to be published soon. In the light of the survey the likely duration of contamination, methods of decontamination, their potential effectiveness, and their cost are being intensively reviewed.