§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many hospitals currently store solid radioactive waste on site; and what controls exist for monitoring and ensuring safety.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyFour hundred and eighty eight hospitals in England are authorised to store radioactive waste under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 and under the Radioactive Substances (Hospitals' Waste) Exemption Order 1963. Monitoring and safety are ensured by inspectors from both Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Health and Safety Executive.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a list of hospitals licensed under the Radioactive Substances Act 1966 to discharge radioactive wastes into the atmosphere or into the sewers.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyHospitals authorised to discharge radioactive wastes are given in the list of registrations in England and Wales issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 for the keeping and use of radioactive materials and mobile sources. A copy is in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures for the amount of radioactive waste released into the atmosphere or down drains or stored on site at hospitals in each of the last five years.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyInformation about the quantities of radioactive waste discharged and stored at hospitals is not kept centrally; records are kept at individual premises.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what access local people and their representatives have to information about the level and potential dangers of the discharge of radioactive wastes from hospitals.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyMonitoring and safety are ensured by inspectors from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Health and Safety Executive who visit64W the premises. Details of any hazards found are published in the inspectorate of pollution's annual report which is available in the Library of the House.