§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to prevent the further dumping by oil companies of radioactive waste from oil rigs into the North sea; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierDisposals of small amounts of radioactive waste from oil installations in the North sea are authorised under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution (HMIP) on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Environment and by Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate (HMIPI) on behalf of the Secretary of State for Scotland. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and before an authorisation is issued HMIP or HMIPI needs to be satisfied that disposals will not present any significant radiological hazard.