§ 49. Mr. Allaunasked the Prime Minister if he will publish in a White Paper the information on the hazards to man resulting from nuclear explosions which has been gained since the Medical Research Council made its investigations between nine months and two years ago; and whether he will ask the Medical Research Council to renew its inquiry.
§ The Prime MinisterThere is no question of asking the Medical Research Council to renew its inquiry, for the Council is keeping the hazards to man from all sources of radiation under continuous review. I understand that, since the publication of its Report on this subject last June, no reliable evidence has come to light which does other than confirm the conclusions contained in it. If such evidence should come to hand, the Government will ensure that it is published.
§ Mr. AllaunHow quickly will the further evidence be published, as several eminent signatories to the M.R.C. Report themselves consider that evidence subsequently produced in America shows that without further atomic tests the strontium in growing children's bones is rapidly rising to a dangerous level?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I said, the Medical Research Council is continuously reviewing this matter. It has, to guide it, the very expert sub-committees that it has appointed under very distinguished authorities. I do not think that I can do more than say that the reports will be published from time to time, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that all this subject is being looked after by the most expert people that we have in this country and is all the time being reported to the Government.