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Users of radioactive materials are required to register with the Ministry of
Housing and Local Government, and to obtain authorisation for waste disposal in
the same way as is required of the Atomic Energy Authority and licensees under the
1959 Act. Local and public authorities are given no direct responsibilities in respect
of radiation hazards from such wastes but are given full information.
There are at present eighteen users of radioactive materials in the borough
registered with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
National arrangements for dealing with incidents involving radioactive substances
are laid down in the Ministry of Health Circular 3/64 and the memorandum
H.M. (64) 11.
The arrangements are intended to cover incidents such as damage occurring to
containers on premises where expert assistance is not immediately available or
accidents to vehicles carrying radioactive substances.
All requests for assistance are channelled through the police, who have been
told where to apply for expert advice and assistance. Instructions have also been
given to the police to notify the Medical Officer of Health. It is his duty to appraise
the extent of the hazard to the public. In the event of contamination of food
supplies, he should take appropriate steps to ensure that it does not reach the
consumer.
No such incidents were reported during the year.
BURIAL AND CREMATION
Under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948. it is the duty of this
authority to cause to be buried or cremated the body of any person who has died
or been found dead in the borough in any circumstances where it appears to the
Council that no suitable arrangements for the disposal of the body have been or are
being made otherwise than by the Council. The bodies of five persons were dealt
with under this section during the year.
EXHUMATIONS
Licences for the removal of human remains under the Burial Act, 1857, state,
inter alia: " It is considered advisable that the Medical Officer of Health should
be notified whenever such a licence is granted in order that he may be in a position
to take (under his general powers) any action that may appear to him to be necessary
in the interests of public health
One exhumation took place at a cemetery within the borough. A public health
inspector was present to ensure that the conditions of the Home Office Exhumation
Certificate were observed.
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