§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether he will list the criteria laid down by his Department for the reporting of leaks of radioactive waste material;
(2) whether he will make a statement listing all radioactive leaks from British Nuclear Fuel Ltd. plants in each year from 1980.
§ Mr. Giles Shaw[pursuant to his reply, 20 December 1983, c. 13]: The following is the further information requested:
The following leaks of radioactive material from BNFL plant have been reported to the Secretary of State under the criteria in force at the time:
Month Reason January 1980 A leaking valve at Windscale February 1980 An overflow due to a blocked drain at Chapelcross Details were published in the Health and Safety Executive's quarterly statements of incidents reported to the Secretary of State, copies of which are placed in the Library of the House.
The Health and Safety Executive is aware of one incident since 1979 of a leak from BNFL plant which would have been reportable under the revised criteria. This occurred in May 1980 at BNFL's Springfields plant and I understand that it was not reported to the Secretary of State because it was not considered to be reportable under the criteria which applied at that time. I gave further information in another answer to the hon. Member on 20 December 1983, c. 136.