Mr. Foremanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the number of Government inspectors who are concerned with the regulation of radioactive materials and their wastes; what were the comparable numbers in December 1983; and if he will give details of the long-term epidemiological monitoring which is necessary to ensure that human health is protected from radiation hazards.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe staff levels in 1983 and 1985 are shown in the table:
Inspectorate 1983 1985 Vacancy MAFF Fisheries 3 3 1 Food Science Division *3 4 0 Nuclear Installations Inspectorate 97 99 20 Radiochemical Inspectorate 12 16 1 * One vacancy. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has established a Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment, which will be reviewing further epidemiological studies to be undertaken in response to recommendation 5 contained in the report of Sir Douglas Black's group which investigated the incidence of cancer in west Cumbria. The Official Report of 21 June 1985, at columns 251–52, gives details of the studies.