HC Deb 04 April 1957 vol 568 cc555-6
19. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a comprehensive statement on the results recorded in relation to the effect of nuclear tests on the radioactivity of fish, seaweeds and marine foods by the Food and Agriculture Organisation meeting on oceanography, at which this country was represented, held last January in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. Derick Heathcoat Amory)

My Department was not represented at the Gothenburg meeting, which was sponsored by U.N.E.S.C.O. and not by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, and I cannot add to the reply given to the hon. and learned Member on 1st April.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister not realise that this matter is imminent and urgent in relation to the food supply of this country and that he must take serious notice of it and deal with it in the interests of the people of this country?

Mr. Amory

It is an important subject, but I would remind the hon. and learned Member that Questions concerning physical oceanography should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty and Questions concerning general radiation hazards to my noble Friend the Lord President of the Council.