§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions during the past 10 years discharges(a) to the air and (b) to water from the Sellafield nuclear complex have been found to exceed maximum permissible limits; what is the frequency of official inspections; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierDuring the past 10 years there have been no occasions recorded when radioactive discharges to the air, or to water, from the Sellafield nuclear complex have been found to exceed maximum permissible limits. Other discharges to air are subject to the requirement that the best practicable means are used to prevent emissions and are not subject to maximum permissible limits. Other discharges to water are the responsibility of the National Rivers Authority. Currently HMIP inspectors spend an average of about five man days per month on the Sellafield site.