§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the division of responsibilities between each Government Department in investigating the risks posed by exposure to radiation.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Department of Health is responsible in general terms for the protection of public health against radiological hazards. The Department's specific responsibilities relate to obtaining expert advice; initiating relevant research; and ensuring an effective health response in the event of a radiological emergency.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's responsibilities are to protect the population from exposure to unacceptable levels of radioactivity through food chain pathways; and to minimise the impact of radioactive waste on the food, farming and fishing industries and the marine environment.
The Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for civil nuclear safety in relation to the generation of electricity.
The Department of Employment is responsible for the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985, which concern the protection of workers and the public from radiation doses received as a result of any work involving ionising radiations. On this the Department is advised by the Health and Safety Commission and the regulations are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive.
The Department of the Environment is responsible for establishing a radioactive waste management policy and for monitoring the environment for radioactivity. Within the Department, the regulators—Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution—have the statutory responsibility in England and Wales for authorising uses and disposals of radioactive substances.
The Ministry of Defence is responsible for defence nuclear and radiological safety.
466WThe Department of Transport is responsible for the safety aspects of the transportation of radioactive material.
The Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Northern Ireland Office are responsible for all civil aspects of radiological safety in relation to their respective parts of the United Kingdom.
The National Radiological Protection Board is responsible under the Radiological Protection Act 1970 for advancing knowledge of radiological protection and for informing and advising Government Departments and others on protection from radiation hazards.