Lake District claimed to be ‘hot’

Press, 1 July 1986, Page 6

Lake District claimed to be ‘hot’

NZPA-AP London A member of the European Parliament has warned tourists not to visit the popular Lake District region in northern England because of high radioactivity levels. Mr Les Huckfield claimed that reputable scientists had recorded radiation figures eight times the national warning level, and called for stricter and more frequent monitoring. Mr Huckfield, a former Industry Minister, said the figures from the Cum-

brian-based Institute of. Terrestrial Ecology were for the highlands from which the movement and sale of lambs was banned in the wake of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

Levels of radioactive caesium were “up to eight times the National Radiological Protection Board’s warning level,” he said.

“If the Government can ban lamb movements from these same areas ... surely we should all be worrying about people — especially children — walking and playing in these same areas,” said

Mr Huckfield, Labour Euro-M.P. for Merseyside East. “Cumbrian farmers have been demanding compensation for their sheep. But it will be no use parents seeking compensation for thyroid and other cancers in their children.” Mr Huckfield also cited May figures for radioactivity in marine silt in popular walking and boating spots around Barrow-in-Furness.

He voiced concern that the figures, produced by the town’s environmental

monitoring team, approach the national warning level.

“On the basis of figures for both the fell (moors) areas and around Barrow, and recognising that there may be some fluctations, I am . immediately calling for more frequent and stricter monitoring.

“But if these dangerous levels continue, I shall have no alternative but to warn my constituents: ‘For your own protection, stay away from the Lake District’,” said Mr Huckfield.