§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has obtained a report from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Health and Safety Executive on how a bar of uranium came to be on the premises of the Richmond Metal Company; what action has been taken; whether any breaches of security were involved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierHer Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and the Health and Safety Executive have carried out an extensive investigation into how the small bar of uranium came to be on the premises of the Richmond Metal Company. They have concluded that it arrived in a large batch of mixed scrap metal. The origin of the bar has not yet been established and this may prove difficult in view of the nature of scrap metal operations. Investigations are continuing and arrangements have been made to dispose of the uranium bar. There is no evidence of any breach of security.