§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many of the potassium iodate tablets held to counter possible ionising radiation have been in stock for more than 10, five, two and one years, respectively;
(2) what is the shelf life of potassium iodate tablets.
§ Mr. Whitney[pursuant to his reply, 3 June 1986, c. 541]: Arrangements for the stocking and issue of potassium iodate tablets form part of the contingency plans maintained for both civil and defence nuclear installations.
Contingency planning for civil nuclear accidents is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy (in respect of England and Wales) and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, advised by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive.
Contingency planning for accidents at defence nuclear establishments is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.
Information provided by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and the Ministry of Defence on the length of time tablets have been held in stock is set out in the table. This reflects better information on numbers in stock than my reply to the hon. Member on 9 May 1986 at column 293
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Thousand tablets 10 years or over 30 6 to 10 years 3,280 3 to 5 years 90 1 to 2 years — Less than 1 *2,000 * Received May 1986. I am advised that tests have been carried out which found that tablets as old as 20 years are still in good condition.