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Certain provisions respecting waste disposal were to have effect for seven years.
The Nuclear Installations (Licensing and Insurance) Act, 1959. made the
provisions of the Atomic Energy Authority Act of 1954 in respect of waste disposal
apply to any licensed site.
The Radioactive Substances Act, 1960. made permanent the provisions of the
1954 and 1959 Acts mentioned above. As regards radioactive waste disposal it
provides for:
(i) The registration of all users of radioactive materials, and the appropriate
public health authority to be notified.
(ii) The control of radioactive wastes from any premises using radioactive
materials.
(iii) The setting-up of a National Waste Disposal Service.
(iv) The appointment of inspectors.
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 nineteen 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
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