§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the 20 areas in Scotland with the highest levels of naturally occurring radioactivity and the reasons why these levels occur in the areas concerned.
§ Mr. AncramThe National Radiological Protection Board has measured in Scotland gamma radiation arising from rocks and soils in about 80 per cent. of the 10 kilometre grid squares of the national grid. Those showing the greatest values are listed as follows. The average value for Scotland is about 320 micrograys per year in air. Naturally occurring radioactivity in rocks arises because of the incorporation in them of radioactive elements when the rocks were formed.
The National Radiological Protection Board is measuring also the concentration in buildings of the
Forest District Forest Block Approval sought (hectares) Approval granted (hectares) Frestry commission Easter Ross Torrachilty Strathrannoch 238 238 Garbat 707 707 Dornoch Shin North Dalchork 2,080 2,080 Inveroykel 481 481 Naver Truderscaig *821 784 Rossal 375 375 Badenloch II 25 25 BadenlochIII 41 41 Cnoc dubh *12 — Rumster Watten 31 31 4,811 4,762 *One of the conditions of clearance is that a barrier zone of 250 metres is left betwen infested areas and nearby sites of special scientific interest (SSSI). This accounts for the difference betwen the areas for which approval was sought and the areas for which approval was granted.
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Forest District Estate Block Approval sought (hectares) Approval granted (hectares) Private woodlands Dornoch Gordonbush Pollie Hill 250 250 radioactive gas, radon, which derives largely from the ground under the building. This work will be reported when it is complete.
Grid square Micrograys/year Location Region NH 90 778 Glen More, near Aviemore Highland NO 39 739 Ballater Grampian NO 28 728 Balmoral Forest, near Grampian Braemar NT 82 713 Cheviot Hills, South of Borders Kelso NO 49 697 East of Aboyne Grampian ND 02 675 North of Helmsdale Highland NC 91 658 South of Helmsdale Highland NM 94 648 Tynribbie, North of Strathclyde Connel NJ 90 633 Aberdeen Grampian NM 75 627 Gleann Dubh, South of Highland Mallaig ND 05 623 South West of Thurso Highland NN 38 621 Glen Spean, East of Fort Highland William ND 01 613 Helmsdale Highland NN 14 604 Glen Etive, South East of Highland Ballachulish NO 38 553 Glen Muick, near Ballater Grampian NJ 20 551 North West of Ballater Grampian NO 69 547 Banchory Grampian NO 59 544 Aboyne Grampian NN 59 535 West of Newtonmore Highland NO 79 532 West of Banchory Grampian