§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is satisfied with the monitoring of radiation undertaken on behalf of his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamI am content that monitoring arrangements are satisfactory and enabled us to advise the public of relevant levels of radiation in Northern Ireland after the Chernobyl accident. However, we are reviewing the arrangements to see whether any improvement is necessary.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what agencies have conducted radioactive monitoring on behalf of his Department in each year since it assumed responsibility for this function.
§ Mr. NeedhamNone. However, since October 1985, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority has included Northern Ireland in a United Kingdom-wide research programme which will provide information on the levels of radioactivity along the Northern Ireland coastline.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish details of all measurements of radiation taken on behalf of his Department since 2 May giving details of the materials sampled, the location and timing of each sample, and the results of each monitoring.
§ Mr. NeedhamDetails of radiation monitoring in Northern Ireland since the Chernobyl incident have been published in departmental press releases. The latest release was issued by the Department of Agriculture on 24 June, copies of which have been laid in the Library. The results of the continued monitoring of agricultural products will be published as they become available. Environmental radiation levels have reduced to normal.