§ 46. Mr. Mikardoasked the Lord Privy Seal what was the deposit, in milli-curies per square mile, of the isotope strontium 90 before the first major thermo-nuclear tests were started two years ago; the deposit now; and what he estimates the deposit will be in 1964.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI have been asked to reply. The deposit of strontium 90 before the first major thermo-nuclear test was 2 milli-curies per square mile. The present deposit is 14 milli-curies per square mile. It is expected that thermo-nuclear tests carried out up to June, 1956, will increase the total deposit to 45 milli-curies per square mile by about 1965.
§ Mr. MikardoFirst, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman convey to his right hon. Friend my regret, which I am sure is shared by the House, that he is kept from us by indisposition. Do not the figures given by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman indicate that there is a very rapid acceleration in the deposit of strontium 90, dangerous to both men and animals, as a result of nuclear tests? Does that not mean that Her Majesty's Government ought at once to seek the banning of tests?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeAll I can say at the moment is that, while the figures are increasing, there is as yet no cause for alarm. In answer to a Question on 19th June, it was clearly indicated that Her Majesty's Government have already put forward proposals which will, I hope, be discussed at the next Disarmament Commission meeting.
§ Mr. SnowFor the benefit of those who do not understand all these technicalities—I believe this question to be a very serious one—is the material mentioned in the Question of an indestructible nature?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI am afraid that I share the hon. Gentleman's ignorance about these matters. I think that it diminishes in strength. I always understood in the old days that nothing is indestructible.