To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the implications for the marine environment of the North sea of the dumping by oil companies of radioactive waste from oil rigs; and if he will make a statement.

Authorisation for the disposal of radioactive materials from oil rigs in the North sea arising from drilling operations are issued by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Environment and by the Scottish Office on behalf of the Secretary of State for Scotland.The Ministry has undertaken some assessments for Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution relating to disposals. The concentrations of activity involved were not of radiological significance for the marine environment.