Nuclear Explosions (Biological Effects) (Hansard, 9 July 1956)

§ 2. Mr. Hale
asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research the Medical Research Council is conducting into the effects of atomic rain which has recently fallen after the atomic explosions in the Far East.

§ Mr. Turton
The Medical Research Council is conducting research on the biological effects of exposure to increased levels of radiation. This would cover any effects arising from radioactivity deposited in rain.

§ Mr. Hale
In view of the information that has now come forward of the very serious effects of strontium on bone structure, especially in children, and of the varied distribution which is now shown by its existence in animals, is it not extremely important that every possible method should be adopted for checking as soon as possible what are the possibilities in this matter?

§ Mr. Turton
The Medical Research Council is at present supporting a substantial and increasing programme of research on the biological effects of radiation from various sources, and will continue to do so.

§ Dr. Summerskill
In view of the very important Report of the Medical Research Council of the effect of nuclear radiation on man, is the Minister going to treat the matter seriously and make a statement before we adjourn for the Summer Recess?

§ Mr. Turton
I have said that these researches are going on, and I hope that the right hon. Lady will not exaggerate the Report of the Medical Research Council, which shows that the present and foreseeable hazards from the very small increase in world-wide atmospheric radioactivity caused by the test explosions is negligible and would not be expected to produce any detectable ill effects.

§ Dr. Summerskill
I apologise for intervening again, but the Minister has not read to the House that part of the Report to which my hon. Friend was referring—and I would like him to read it to the House—which says that, if bombs are dropped in the next 30 years at the same rate as they are now being dropped, the effects of strontium on the bone structure will be very serious. Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly read that part of the Report to the House?

§ Mr. Turton
I have given the summary of the recommendation. It is quite true that the Report mentioned the danger from radioactive strontium if the explosions continued during the lifetime of those living at the present time, and that is being studied with other matters.

§ Mr. Hale
Surely the right hon. Gentleman is aware that one of his own replies makes it clear that more recent information has shown that the distribution of 13 strontium in the air is not even and that in some cases there is evidence of 10 times the normal absorption of this very strong poison.

§ 3. Mr. Hale
asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research body is specifically charged with the study of the genetic effects of nuclear and thermo-nuclear explosions; and what material was collected during the Allied occupation on the number of deformed and defective children born after the explosions at Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

§ Mr. Turton
Research on the genetic effects of exposure to radiation from all sources is being undertaken by the Medical Research Council and studies are also in progress in various university and other research departments. The United States Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission has, since 1947, been collecting information on the subsequent history of persons exposed to the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and a preliminary report has been published on the children born to such persons.

§ Mr. Hale
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this information has not been made available to this House and that the information in the Report of the Medical Research Council, so far as Hiroshima and Nagasaki are concerned, dealt almost entirely with the question of leukæmia and not with the genetic effects?

§ Mr. Turton
What has been made available to the House is what is available in this country. The second report of Dr. Neel and Dr. Schull has not yet been published, but the Medical Research Council was given a preview of certain parts of it, which are summarised in paragraphs 167 to 170 of the Medical Research Council's Report.