§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the calculations of radiation doses affecting the critical group of members of the public near the British Nuclear Fuels Limited Chapelcross site were last reviewed or revised; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramThe most recent assessment of annual dose levels affecting the critical group was made on the basis of monitoring results for 1985, which showed that radiation exposure of the public arising from operations at Chapelcross has remained well within internationally recommended dose limits. Information so far available for 1986 does not suggest any change in that position.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list showing for each of the last four years the (a) calculated critical group exposures associated with radioactive discharges from British Nuclear Fuels Limited, Chapelcross and (b) proportion that such discharges bear to the maximum authorised limit in each year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramThe information is published by the Scottish Development Department in statistical bulletins which are placed in the Library. The most recent information, which is being prepared for publication, confirms that disposals of waste from Chapelcross have been within the authorised limits and that any radiation exposure of the public arising from the disposal has continued to be well within the internationally recommended dose limit.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will describe the certificates of authorisation for radioactive discharges from British Nuclear Fuels Limited, Chapelcross, identifying the date of authorisation of each certificate; whether each such certificate specifies numerical limits for each type of discharge; and when each such certificate is next due to be reviewed.
§ Mr. AncramThe nature and content of authorisation certificates is described in Scottish Development Department statistical bulletin No. 1/1986 which is available in the Library. Revised certificates for Chapelcross were issued in April 1986: they impose numerical limits on both liquid and gaseous discharges. Authorisations for all nuclear installations in the United Kingdom are currently subject to a programme of review which is due to be completed by 1989.