18. Dr. Stressasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has considered the report of the Medical Research Council regarding the heavy contamination of the soil and of green vegetables by radiostrontium in some areas of Wales; what warning or advice he has issued; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. J. B. Godber)Yes, Sir. In a few mountain areas precipitation has been found to be higher than average. The Report of the Medical Research Council does not, however, suggest that this is a cause for alarm, and my right hon. Friend is advised that the safety margin before there could be any fear of risk to human beings or to animals is a very wide one. The position is being closely watched.
§ Dr. StrossNone the less, does the Parliamentary Secretary agree with me that the reports of the Medical Research Council have shown that the bones of sheep in these areas may show ten times as much radioactivity as is found on average elsewhere? In view of the fact that infants appear to take up those poisonous substances much more readily than adults, to the extent of ten or twenty times as rapidly, will he promise us that milk from those areas will be particularly watched and examined from time to time?
§ Mr. GodberYes, I will gladly give that assurance. I do not think that the hon. Member was with us on Friday for the Adjournment debate when this subject was discussed. It is very much in our minds.
§ Mr. C. HughesDoes not the Minister agree that this is an extremely serious matter, which may give rise to considerable alarm in Wales? What is the reason for the greater contamination in Wales? Can he say specifically what steps are being taken to watch the situation?
§ Mr. GodberWe are unable to give any reasons for which this higher contamination is found in these areas, but it has been discovered and we are keeping 618 a close watch on it. We are making tests at regular intervals. We must try to find out more on this subject before we can say any more.
§ Mr. MasonWhen was this increase in radioactive contamination of these animals and this plant life in the hills of Wales detected? Is a survey being constantly made of the areas, particularly in view of the recent Russian tests, and will these tests increase the radioactivity in the areas?
§ Mr. GodberI cannot give the date without notice, but we are certainly keeping a very close watch on the situation.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanCan the Joint Parliamentary Secretary assure the House that the Medical Research Council, on whose Report these Questions and Answers have been based, does not contain any Communists, fellow-travellers or Left-Wing propagandists?
§ Mr. GodberThat subject is somewhat outside the scope of my duties.