§ 47. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Prime Minister if he will publish the most recent evidence concerning the increase of strontium 90 found in the bones of children dying in this country and in the bones of sheep; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated in reply to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Wade) on 31st October the most recent evidence has been published in the Report by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, its title being "Radiostrontium in Soil, Grass, Milk and Bone in the United Kingdom", a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Further publications will be made as results become available. I do not consider there would be any public advantage in making a statement at present.
§ Mr. AllaunDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the alarming Harwell Report, showing that strontium 90 in the bones of Welsh sheep had increased in two years from 20 units to 200 units, is now 18 months out-of-date? Has this increase continued? And as examinations have taken place since, will the right hon. Gentleman publish a report on the examinations?
§ Mr. ButlerI have said in answer to previous Questions of this sort that we are always ready to make available the latest evidence we have. I am not aware of any evidence which I could publish, but in view of the hon. Gentleman's question, I will examine whether there is any further evidence which may be made available.