Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the extent of radioactivity monitoring in the Irish sea; and if he will make a statement on the implications for fish stocks in the Irish sea of the construction of nuclear installations on the west coast of Great Britain.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food carries out extensive monitoring for radioactivity in the aquatic environment around the British Isles including the Irish sea. The results are published annually and placed in the Library of the House. These sources show that radiological levels pose no risk to fish stocks.
Proposals for nuclear installations go through a stringent consent procedure before construction is authorised and the effect on fishstocks is an important factor in the decision. Radioactive discharges from nuclear installations are controlled by authorisation issued by the appropriate Government Departments. The effects of such discharges on the flora and fauna of the Irish sea are among the matters considered by the authorising Departments in establishing the permitted limits.