§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Paymaster General, further to his reply to the hon. Member for South Shields on 12 January, Official Report, column 53, concerning public levels of radiation exposure, whether maximum annual exposure of five millisieverts is the only recommendation or guidance given by Her Majesty's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate in relation to a new nuclear power station; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Trippier[pursuant to his reply, 2 February 1987]: No. There is a general requirement for exposures to be kept as low as reasonably practicable. Assessors considering the design estimates for a new nuclear power station are given guidance on the assessment reference levels for radiation exposure to members of the public in a booklet "Safety Assessment Principles for Nuclear Power Reactors" published by the Health and Safety Executive. For normal operations the assessment level for any person outside the site boundary is a maximum at 0.17 mSv per annum.
A copy of the booklet has been placed in the Library.