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types of disposal, has been worked out. Authorisations usually
permitted one or more of these four methods. One of these methods
is disposal without special precautions by the normal refuse
route.
However, using this method, activity is severely limited.
Originally the limit was a maximum of two microcuries per cubic
foot of refuse, but under the new regulation the waste has to be
in special containers, there has to be not less than 3 cu.ft.of
refuse in the container at the time of collection, the total activity
in the container—including decay products—is not allowed to
exceed ten microcuries and no article in the waste must contain
more than one microcurie, including decay products.
Disposal by burial in a local authority tip is also allowed
if special precautions are taken and a small number of authorisations
for this method have been granted. However, the waste is not
allowed to pass through any sorting process or incinerator.
Therefore it had to be sorted at source and taken direct to
the tip, where it is buried as soon as possible under at least
5 ft. of refuse or refuse ash.
Disposal by burning—in most cases with disposal of the
residual ash in one of the ways already described—is also
allowed in particular cases, but it is not generally encouraged.
The radiochemical inspectors are satisfied with the overall
position. Among all the registered premises—over two thousand
in the county as a whole—and those operating under exemptions,
very few have given cause for concern. The inspectors are
equipped with sensitive instruments which can give an indication
of the natural background radiation. These are used to check
registered premises, wastes awaiting disposal and, on demand,
dumps and tips.
NUMBER OF HOUSES ERECTED DURING THE YEAR
513 units (319 by private enterprise, 194 by Housing Associations)
were erected during the year.
In addition, the Local Authority erected 608 units of
accommodation during the year consisting of the following:—
103