Written question asked by Lord Howard of Lympne (Conservative) on Wednesday, 5 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 December 2001. It was answered by Lord Boateng (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 December 2001 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance is issued to officers of HM Customs and Excise on the use of bulk x-ray equipment.

Answer: Mr. Howard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance is issued to officers of HM Customs and Excise on the use of bulk X-ray equipment. [22039] Mr. Boateng: Under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 a risk assessment is required before any X-ray source is used. The Defence Science Technology Laboratories Radiation Protection Service is Customs' Radiation Protection Advisor for the freight x-ray scanner project and they prepare each risk assessment. Each risk assessment is site and machine specific and includes local rules for setting up the scanner, operating practices and safety procedures. The risk assessment is kept with the scanner for production, as required, to any Health and Safety Executive Inspector or any other person.

Secondary information