§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the risks of disturbing material containing Cobalt 60 and PCB in the Holy Loch during clean-up operations. [31871]
§ Mr. SpellarAn extensive environmental radioactivity survey, which focused on Cobalt-60, was conducted jointly by the MoD and US Navy in 1992. This concluded that there was no radiological hazard to the public in the Holy Loch area. An Environmental Assessment Report commissioned by my Department from independent specialist consultants, published in early 1997, concluded that seabed clearance was unlikely to cause a measurable increase in exposure.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency undertook a study last year on the potential for contamination, including by PCBs, which concluded that disturbance of sediment during clearance was unlikely to result in significant toxicity. Other work by the Centre for Environmental, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science at Burnham supported this view.
Clearance will be governed by a comprehensive environmental protocol. Ecotoxicology studies form a constant component in the monitoring regime. Indications of a rise in toxicity will result in the lifting of debris being suspended.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding the American Government will provide for the removal of waste from the site of their previously occupied Scottish naval base. [31964]
§ Mr. SpellarI assume the question refers to Holy Loch in Scotland. The terms of occupation of the site place no obligation on the American Government to fund the clearance of waste.