§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the release of tritium at AWE Aldermaston in February; whether there was any danger to the population living around the establishment; and if he will make a statement on the adequacy of the present effectiveness of the monitoring equipment.
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§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleA small quantity of tritium—some 27 terabecquerels—was accidentally released on 19 February 1991. The highest dose which could have been received by any member of the public was much less than 1 microSievert, several thousand times smaller than the average annual dose to the United Kingdom public from all background sources. There was therefore no danger to the local population or effect on the environment. The effectiveness of monitoring equipment at AWE was well demonstrated by the fact that it picked up these extremely low levels.