§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals the Government are considering to reduce the annual radiation dose to workers; when a decision is expected to be announced; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsAs announced on 18 November 1987, the Health and Safety Commission has set up a working group on ionising radiations. As part of its remit the working group is considering the whole question of radiation control measures in the light of guidance given by the National Radiological Protection Board. The working 283W group hopes to be able to advise the commission on this matter later this year. I am content to await any subsequent recommendations.
Meanwhile, Health and Safety Executive inspectors are paying particular attention to the requirement in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 that doses should be kept as low as reasonably practicable and not merely below the dose limits.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to restrict(a) nuclear contractors or (b) workers travelling between and working at different reactors, so as to restrict the exposure to radiation of workers employed by nuclear contractors; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 require all employers to ensure that, amongst other matters, doses of ionising radiations received by employees are kept as low as reasonably practicable and in any case below the relevant statutory limits. We do not believe there is any need to restrict nuclear contractors or workers travelling between sites any more stringently than other workers exposed to ionising radiations.