§ 49. Mr. Swinglerasked the Prime Minister who are the representatives of the United Kingdom on the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation; and if he will ask the Committee to hasten the publication of its report, in view of the dangers of increasing radioactivity from nuclear tests.
§ The Prime MinisterDr. E. E. Pochin, Director of the Medical Research Council's Department of Clinical Research, University College Hospital Medical School, is the United Kingdom representative on the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic 353 Radiation. Dr. W. G. Marley, Head of the Health Physics Division of the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, is his alternate. When it was set up by the United Nations, the Committee was asked to report by July of this year. I understand that it has nearly completed its work and that there is every reason to hope that the report will be published on time.
§ Mr. SwinglerIn view of the conflicting and sometimes alarming statements now being made about radiation hazards, is not the publication of this authoritative report an urgent matter, and should not this be one of the central, principal documents that fall to be considered at the summit talks?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. It is, of course, very desirable that it should be published, but it is first necessary that it should be completed. This is a joint committee of the United Nations on which we are represented. I hope—there is every evidence to confirm the view—that the Committee will report by the time it was asked to do so.