§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans there are to hold an independent inquiry into the levels of radioactive pollution in the North sea; if he will make it his policy to deny British Nuclear Fuels plc any licence to dump radioactive waste in the North sea until an inquiry has been completed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food undertakes a regular programme of monitoring of radioactivity in United Kingdom waters. Results are published in aquatic environment monitoring reports, "Radioactivity in Surface and Coastal Waters of the British Isles", copies of which are available in the Library of the House. These results show that radioactivity levels in the North sea are well below those which would pose a threat to man or to the marine environment and I do not plan any further inquiry. We do not license dumping of radioactive waste in the North sea.