HC Deb 24 May 1984 vol 60 cc463-4W
Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he has taken to ensure the accuracy of information about pollution levels given to him by British Nuclear Fuels.

Mr. Waldegrave

Under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 my Department, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, specifies the type and frequency of the measurements which British Nuclear Fuels plc are required to make of discharges from their sites. The Radiochemical Inspectorate also take their own samples of such discharges, which are independently analysed. The Authorising Departments also specify the environmental measurements to be taken by BNFL, and carry out their own monitoring of the local environment. Inspectors from the Departments visit BNFL's sites regularly and are in a position to ensure that the equipment and the methods used in taking measurements are accurate.