§ 86. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, whether he is aware of the continued concern by Welsh local authorities at the lack of adequate facilities 126W for measuring the degree and the consequent effects of strontium 90 in Wales; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithMy noble Friend is aware of the concern of some Welsh local authorities but cannot agree that present arrangements are inadequate. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs stated in his reply to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Watkins) on 15th March, the work demands extremely intricate laboratory processes and skilled assessment and it is better to centralise the facilities for it than to duplicate them in a separate Welsh organisation.