§ 22. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Health if he will advise mothers of young children who are being bottle fed on cow's milk as to the steps they can take to avoid the risk of their children being contaminated by strontium 90.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI do not think any advice from me is called for since, as I told the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 21st April, I am aware 21 of no evidence that milk containing radioactive fallout, including strontium 90, has adversely affected the health of children or of anyone else.
§ Mr. AllaunIs not radiation mounting rapidly? Is there any protection for mothers except stopping the tests immediately? Would the Minister answer both those questions?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI do not think that the main point raised by the hon. Gentleman is a matter for me. As he knows, the broad context of this subject is for my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. I am only concerned with the rather narrower aspect to which he has referred, which is sufficiently dealt with in my Answer.
§ Dr. SummerskillDoes not the Minister agree that although the signs of absorption of strontium 90 do not appear for some years, yet nevertheless my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) is quite correct; milk can be contaminated and strontium 90 absorbed by children?