§ 48. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will publish the latest advice he has received regarding the hazards of radiation from nuclear explosions.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have nothing to add to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister yesterday to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun).
§ Mr. FletcherWill the Paymaster-General bear in mind that there have been a number of authoritative statements indicating the nuclear hazards are very considerably under-estimated in certain quarters, and, in view of the grave importance of the subject to mankind, would not the Paymaster-General arrange for all relevant advice received by him to be published so that it can be studied?
§ Mr. MaudlingMy right hon. Friend said yesterday that, since publication of the Report of the Medical Research Council, no reliable evidence has come to light which does other than confirm the conclusions contained in it, but if such evidence should come to hand the Government will ensure that it is published.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerHas the Paymaster-General seen the evidence contained in the last six-monthly Report of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, which shows that earlier estimates of radiation hazards have been greatly less than must now be allowed for?
§ Mr. MaudlingIn this matter, of course, the Government rely on the advice of the Medical Research Council, which is the most authoritative, body for advice that we have.
§ Dr. SummerskillIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Medical Research Council reported last June, and that, since then, there has been a report from the Conference of Human Geneticists? Would he tell us what is his view on that report?
§ Mr. MaudlingI have repeated the words of the Prime Minister, who said that since the publication of the Report last June no reliable evidence has come to light other than confirming the conclusions come to in that Report.