§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discharges of radioactivity to the river Thames and its tributaries are permitted. [187717]
§ Mr. MorleyDischarges of radioactivity to the river Thames and its tributaries are authorised under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 by the Environment Agency from four licensed nuclear sites and 260 other non nuclear sites, such as hospitals, medical and veterinary establishments, universities and general industry. Discharges are made via effluent treatment plant or via sewage treatment works. The sites which are authorised and the levels of radioactive discharges are1940W included in the Environment Agency's Pollution Inventory, which can be found on its web site, www.environmentagency.gov.uk.