HC Deb 23 November 1992 vol 214 cc537-8W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the current system of UVB monitoring; and what plans he has for improvements.

Mr. Maclean

The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) has carried out continuous monitoring of ultraviolet radiation in the United Kingdom for three and a half years.

The Department of the Environment has supported the spectral measurement of ultraviolet radiation at Reading university for two and a half years. It is planned to continue this programme.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to enable the National Radiological Protection Board to purchase equipment that is capable of detecting the levels of UVB increase resulting from present ozone depletion.

Mr. Maclean

Spectral radiometers have the potential for detection of increases in UVB that may result from ozone depletion. The Department of the Environment has supported the spectral measurement of UVB at Reading university since 1989 and will continue to do so. There is no plan at the moment to support the purchase of identical equipment for the National Radiological Protection Board.