Ms. HannanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has monitored the effect of radioactive discharges from the Health Service to air and water.
§ Mr. TrippierRadioactive waste may be disposed of only if an authorisation has been issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP). Authorisations are issued only after careful assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed disposals. They impose strict conditions and activity limits, which are designed to ensure that any dose to the general public is well below the maximum permissible as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The premises concerned are subject to inspection to ensure compliance with the terms of authorisations.