§ Mr. Frank Cookasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what limits are placed on the chemical, as distinct from radiochemical, constituents of discharges from Sellafield to the Irish sea; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the authorisations issued to British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. in this respect.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI have been asked to reply.
Under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 conditions to control discharges into coastal waters have recently been introduced. Under these conditions BNFL made application to the North-Western water authority to discharge components which are not radiochemical and thereby obtained deemed consent to continue its discharges to the Irish Sea. The authorisation is on the public register and a copy will be placed in the Library. The conditions for discharge will be periodically reviewed.