§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what efforts are made by his Department to quantify the total amounts of low-level radioactive waste being dumped in London.
§ Mr. TrippierRadioactive waste may be disposed of only if an authorisation has been issued by HMIP under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960. The Department does not maintain a central record of the quantities of low-level radioactive waste disposed of through local disposal routes nor of specific disposal locations. 501W However, a condition of authorisation requires waste producers to keep proper and detailed records relating to their disposals. These records as well as the premises or sites concerned are subject to scrutiny by HMIP inspectors to ensure compliance with the terms of the certificates of authorisation.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusions he has reached in respect of the purity of water supplies in London arising from the study sponsored by his Department on the disposal of low-level radioactive waste; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library.
§ Mr. TrippierHer Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has a national programme for checking the levels of radioactivity in drinking water sources. This shows that the levels of radioactivity in the Thames are extremely low and the levels in drinking water supplies are below the guideline values for potable water recommended by the World Health Organisation. The research study commissioned by my Department and being carried out by St. Bartholomew's hospital medical college will not be completed until March 1991. A first draft report was received by my Department this month and is currently being reviewed. The report will be published in due course and copies will be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list all those organisations authorised by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to dispose of low-level radioactive waste; and if he will make a statement.
(2) if he will give the number and names of organisations in Greater London area permitted to dispose of low-level radioactive waste.
§ Mr. TrippierI refer the hon. Member to the Department's "List of Premises in England and Wales currently authorised under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 to dispose of radioactive waste", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.