§ Mr. Russell BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will initiate(a) a further detailed survey of Beaufort's Dyke and the surrounding area and (b) a public inquiry into the matters raised by the survey. [6643]
§ Mr. DewarThe levels of radioactivity throughout the Irish Sea are routinely monitored by the Centre for Environment. Fisheries and Aquaculture Science an executive agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The most recent report, which is entitled "Radioactivity in Food and the Environment 1995", is available in the Library of the House of Commons. The monitoring undertaken since the early 1960s has not detected any measurable effect on radioactivity levels in the Beaufort's Dyke area, which remain well within internationally agreed safety levels. At the moment I see no need to initiate any additional surveys or a public inquiry.
§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will commission the Aberdeen Marine Research Laboratory to conduct an investigation into radiation levels in the Beaufort's Dyke area. [6830]
§ Mr. DewarThe Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, an executive agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, carried out comprehensive monitoring for levels of radioactivity throughout the Irish Sea. Such monitoring takes place on a regular basis and will continue. Involvement of the Marine Laboratory Aberdeen would therefore not be justified.