Lord Winstanleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made in the investigation into the presence of radioactive iodine in drinking water in the Weybridge area, and whether there is any truth in the allegation made in the Observer on 8th February 1987 that the start of these investigations was delayed by considerations relating to the Official Secrets Act.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Skelmersdale)A contract for a programme of research on radioactive iodine in Thames water has been offered to a research contractor. Letting the contract has been delayed by the initial concern of the potential contractor about a clause in the contract which drew his attention to the relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act.