§ Mr. Wardellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if his Department will fund research estimating the effects of fires, explosions and the release of toxic substances on the surrounding population emanating from notifiable installations of major hazard;
(2) if his Department will fund research into fireballs from notifiable installations of major hazard;
(3) if his Department will fund research on vapour cloud explosions from notifiable installations of major hazards;
(4) if his Department will fund research on how a release of hazardous material is likely to occur from a notifiable installation and the formation of a gas cloud in close proximity to the point of escape;
(5) if his Department will fund research into factors affecting the emission of hazardous materials from notifiable installations including (a) the behaviour of flashing jets and an atmospheric entrainment into them, (b) the spread and evaporation of pools of cryogenic and non-cryogenic liquids on land and water and (c) the effectiveness of secondary containment such as bunds, ducts or catchment points on buildings.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI have been asked to reply.
The Health and Safety Executive has always recognised the fundamental importance of research into aspects of risk from industrial processes. This has been endorsed by the three reports of the Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on major hazards. A working group of the advisory committee specifically considered research needs and priorities.
Within the executive, the research and laboratory services division devotes a substantial proportion of resources to research into "major hazard" and "environmental" issues. The executive also funds extra mural research on major hazard issues. Total expenditure of RLSD in 1983–84 was £14.8 million, of which about a quarter is devoted to research project work. RLSD and other parts of the executive are deeply involved in large-scale trials (costing over £1.7 million) on heavy gas dispersion at Thorney island, a programme of work which is jointly supported by a large group of British and international sponsors.
208WThe major hazards assessment unit of HSE also has a contractual arrangement with the safety and reliability directorate of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority which includes research into certain aspects of risk associated with major hazards. All the aspects of research listed in the questions are, or will be, covered by current or planned research efforts which are continually under review as further information arises.
The results of this research are widely available and will form an important input into the work arising from the recently introduced Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazard Regulations.
Related research work is also carried out by industry, and the executive is also deeply involved in such research as part of the research programme of the European Community.