§ 46. Mr. Warbeyasked the Prime Minister whether he will publish a White Paper giving the latest available information on the radiation effects of the fissionfusion-fission bomb and showing what consequential modifications are planned in the Government's defence, Civil Defence and foreign policy.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government have already invited the Medical Research Council to prepare a report on the medical aspects of nuclear radiation. On the other issues, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) on 16th June.
§ Mr. WarbeyIs the Prime Minister aware that, according to the latest evidence given by leading American atomic scientists, one hydrogen bomb of this new 3F type could create a cloud of radioactive dust of great persistence over the whole of the British Isles, and is it not time that the Government gave the British public all the information which they have about this matter and drew some conclusions for their own defence policy?
§ The Prime MinisterI presume that the hon. Gentleman refers to Dr. Libby's address. It may comfort him to know that a study of the full text of the address shows that Dr. Libby was speaking within the context of the authoritative statement of the Atomic Energy Commission issued last February, on which we are now basing our own work. It might be of interest to the House if I made available that statement of February, at least in the Library of the House, in some form, so that hon. Members can look at it. There is nothing new in what Dr. Libby said compared with that statement.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonWill the report of the body to which the matter has been referred be published in due course?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman means the Medical Research Council? Yes, Sir. That is our intention.