Radiation

HC Deb 14 May 1986 vol 97 cc487-8W

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will publish for each region the figures giving (a) normal background radiation, (b) background radiation for each day since 1 May, (c) the highest recorded radioactivity of a litre of milk, (d) the highest recorded radioactivity of a litre of rainwater and (e) the highest hypothetical dose received.

Mrs. Rumbold

My Department, with the National Radiological Protection Board, has issued raw data on the levels of radiation detected at monitoring stations in the United Kingdom and a daily statement indicating in general terms the significance of these measurements. A statement was given to the press by my Department on 9 May 1986 and is available in the Library of the House. It gave estimates of the average dose levels to the public in the United Kingdom in the previous week, as a result of the accident at Chernobyl.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to increase the public supply of radiation monitoring equipment.

Mrs. Rumbold

No restrictions are placed on the purchase or sale of radiation monitoring equipment to the public. If sufficient demand exists manufacturers will respond.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to protect the public from the long-term effects of radionuclides that have settled on the soil.

Mrs. Rumbold

My Department has already taken steps to let a research contract with UKAEA, Harwell to assess the longer-term effects of radioactivity deposited in the United Kingdom following the Chernobyl accident. The results will be made available to the public in due course.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government will take steps to standardise the units of measurement of radioactivity and dose limits; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Standard international units for radioactivity (becquerel) absorbed dose (gray) and dose equivalent (sievert) already exist. Reference may occasionally be made to the curie, rad and rem when quoting from older reports.

Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with the monitoring that has been carried out in Britain as a result of the accident at Chernobyl.

Mrs. Rumbold

Yes.