HC Deb 12 June 1956 vol 554 cc239-40
46. Mr. Elliot

asked the Prime Minister when he expects that the Report of the Medical Research Council Committee on the medical aspects of nuclear radiation will be available.

The Prime Minister

The Report of the Medical Research Council Committee is being published as a Command Paper, and will be available in the Vote Office later today.

This Report is an important document; it deals with complicated matters which will require careful study by all concerned. For this reason, it is obviously not possible at this stage to make detailed comments on its contents. The Committee's findings about radiation from such sources as the diagnostic use of X-rays will require much detailed consideration with the appropriate scientific, medical and industrial bodies. To the extent that Government Departments are concerned, we are arranging for the necessary studies to be made as soon as possible.

Mr. Elliot

Is it possible for my right hon. Friend to see that a popular summary of the results is issued, as these documents are very technical and complicated, and difficult for the layman to understand?

The Prime Minister

I hope I should not be asked to draw up such a summary. It would be a very difficult task for anyone who has seen the document. Of course, this is not a Government publication, in the sense that it is done by a body entirely free from Government control or influence. For that reason, it would be difficult to do as my right hon. Friend asks. Perhaps I may suggest that if, after a study of the Report, the House considers what further elucidation, if necessary, it needs, we will then consider what we can do to help.