HC Deb 24 February 1986 vol 92 cc421-2W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Irish Government regarding the effect of radioactive discharges; what action he has taken following these; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waldegrave

At the request of the Irish Government, a meeting of officials took place on 14 February. Information about discharges from Sellafield, including the recent incidents, was supplied and consideration was given to improving procedures for notifying the Irish Government of such incidents.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what accidents have been reported at the Sellafield plant so far in the current year; what has been the radioactive discharge or leak involved; what effect he estimates this will have on levels of radioactivity in the south west of Scotland; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Waldegrave

Three incidents involving radioactivity have been reported to the Secretary of State this year. One involved the discharge of about 500 kg of uranium to the sea; one involved a very small quantity of plutonium vapour entering the atmosphere and the third resulted in no discharge to the environment. Present indications are that levels of radioactivity in the south-west of Scotland have not been affected.