§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the cost to(a) Welsh farmers and (b) his Department of the radioactive fall-out from the Chernobyl accident; and what are the figures for each year since the accident for the area determined as restricted in Wales as a result of the accident. [39674]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThe main economic effect of the Chernobyl accident in 1986 has been on the sheep farming industry in North Wales. The direct cost to Welsh farmers, 33W measured in terms of disruption to their enterprises and for which compensation has been paid since 1986, is over £8.9 million. Information on the specific costs to the Welsh Office arising from the Chernobyl accident is not available because staff and effort allocated to this work varies according to the circumstances.
Figures for each year of the area determined as restricted in Wales as a consequence of the accident are as follows:
Year Restricted area (square kilometres) 1986 4,100 October 1986—December 1990 848 1991 839 1992 832 1993 734 1994 677 1995 647 1996 580 1997 580 1998 530