§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the Official Report details of Becquerel readings for caesium in (a) grass and (b) sheep in west Yorkshire in 1986 and 1987, respectively.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[holding answer 5 November 1987]: The results of the Minister's post-Chernobyl monitoring of caesium levels in plant and animal tissues for 1986 have been published and placed in the Library of the House. The same will be done for those for 1987 as they become available. They have shown no need to continue any special monitoring in west Yorkshire.
I am, however, aware of recent press reports concerning sampling of radioactivity levels in certain areas of west Yorkshire by private individuals and concerning rainfall in this area during the period of passage of the plume. I have therefore arranged for further intensive monitoring in this area as a double check and I expect to receive the results very shortly. These results will also be made publicly available.