§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the health effects of radioactive discharges from(a) Amersham International plc in Cardiff and (b) the atomic weapons establishment at Llanishen.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesDischarges of radioactive wastes may only be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of authorisations under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960.
Authorisation is dependent upon the operators demonstrating that discharges will be below levels set by the Government to ensure that the public is not exposed to any significant radiological risk. Regular monitoring by the regulatory authorities has consistently shown that the discharges are made within such levels.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to increase radiation protection measures for members of the public in Wales following the details of radioactive contamination in the Principality included under each of tables 4.01 to 4.06 and 4.08 to 4.35 of the Environmental Digest for Wales 1992.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe environmental monitoring exercises detailed in the digest form part of a routine monitoring programme which provides an additional check that members of the public are not being exposed to unsafe radiation levels. The data show that radioactivity levels from artificial sources are generally very small and declining, are in total substantially less than the levels resulting from natural sources and present no significant risk to public health. It is not therefore necessary to take steps to increase radiation protection measures for members of the public in Wales.