§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many of the potassium iodate tablets held to counter possible ionising radiation have been held in stock for more than 10, five, two and one years, respectively; and how many are presently in stock altogether;
(2) what is his estimate for the shelf life of potassium iodate tablets.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 9 January 1990]Arrangements for the stocking and issue of potassium iodate tablets form part of the contingency plans for both civil and defence nuclear installations. It should be noted that iodine tablets are a counter-measure for any long-term adverse health effects of radio-iodine only.
Contingency planning for civil nuclear accidents is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy (in respect of England and Wales) and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, advised by the nuclear installations inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive.
Contingency planning for defence nuclear accidents is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.
The Central Electricity Generating Board has advised that it holds half a million tablets of potassium iodate centrally and another half million tablets distributed to the nuclear generating sites, all stock being batched in September 1989.
The Ministry of Defence has advised that it holds 2 million tablets of potassium iodate batched in 1986, and 2 million tablets batched in 1980–82 which have been examined and are still in good contition. Shelf life cannot be accurately predicted but stock quality and requirements are continually being reviewed and revised if necessary.
A further stock of tablets is also held by operators of sites such as British Nuclear Fuels plc and Atomic Energy Authority Technology.
In addition small stocks of potassium iodate and potassium iodide are held for other medical purposes by some manufacturers, pharmacists and hospitals.