HC Deb 16 June 1986 vol 99 cc395-6W
Mr. Robert Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of radiation detectors available in the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Rumbold

About 7,000.

Mr. Robert Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to ensure comprehensive advice is available to the population on what to do if the level of radiation rises above an acceptable level.

Mrs. Rumbold

Notification to members of the public immediately affected by an accident at a United Kingdom nuclear site would be made by the police under the arrangements described in the booklet "Emergency Plans for Civil Nuclear Installations", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. In the event of the levels of radiation giving cause for concern over a wide area an announcement would be made as soon as possible via the media and a press, radio and television briefing centre would be set up to provide advice for the public.

Mr. Robert Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the maximum level of radiation measured in the United Kingdom, and its location, in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster.

Mrs. Rumbold

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Ross) on 9 May at column304.