§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the total staff and administration cost to his Department of the Chernobyl accident.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 7 June 1988]: Precise figures are not available but staff costs incurred, in the main by the Department of Agriculture, Northern Ireland, are estimated at around £300,000. Some £70,000 has been spent on the purchase of produce for testing, live monitoring equipment and paint in connection with the operation of the mark and release scheme. A further £12,900 has been paid in compensation to producers affected by the movement restrictions on sheep.