§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he was informed about the recent radioactive leak from Hunterston nuclear power station; when the leak took place; what were the details of the report; and what action he is taking as a result.
§ Mr. Allan StewartOn 13 October the South of Scotland Electricity Board reported that a radiological survey on 10 October at Hunterston A nuclear power station had revealed some low-level contamination in the vicinity of the liquid effluent pipeline. The board took the affected pipeline out of service immediately and is installing a temporary bypass line. Access has been restricted to the contaminated area which is well clear of the site boundary. The Nuclear Installation iNspectorate (NII) has been notified but the incident is not considered to have a significant radiological impact. The matter is now in the hands of NII, which is investigating and action is being taken to prevent a recurrence.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what incidents involving any kind or degree of leakage or discharge of radioactive substances from the nuclear power station at Hunterston have been reported to him since the start of operation of the station.
§ Mr. Allan StewartUnder the agreed procedure by which the Secretary of State is notified of accidents involving leakages of, or discharges of, radioactive substances the Health and Safety Executive publishes a summary of all such reported occurrences in its quarterly statements of nuclear incidents. These statements include details of any such incidents at Hunterston. The information is made generally available to the media and the public and copies of the appropriate press notices are already available in the Library of both Houses. There have been no incidents at Hunterston which have resulted in significant releases of radiation on or offsite.