§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take following the publication by his Department of the report on the study of radioactivity three years after Chernobyl carried out by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology; what part he intends aerial monitoring should play in future surveys; what role he intends local authorities should play; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Institute of Terrestrial Ecology report on the radio activity in the environment has suggested that the radioactive caesium in organic litter layers under grass, bracken, heather and woodland could be an explanation of the longevity of radio activity in pasture and in grazing animals. A further programme of research is being planned to investigate this possibility.
Aerial monitoring is being considered as a means of rapid identification of areas of high radioactivity 385W deposition in the event of any future overseas nuclear accident. The role of local authorities is set out in the booklet "The National Reponse Plan and Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network (RIMNET) Phase I" published by HMSO. Copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.