§ 46. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Prime Minister if he has considered the latest Harwell report showing that the bones of a baby examined in 1957 contained more than twice as much strontium 90 as those with the highest deposit in the previous year; and if, in the light of this further evidence, he will stop all nuclear tests by this country immediately.
§ The Prime MinisterThe report to which the hon. Gentleman refers shows that the maximum content of strontium 90 discovered was a figure of 3:2 units. That is only a small fraction of the level which the Medical Research Council report suggested was the maximum permissible for the general population. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No, Sir."
§ Mr. AllaunIf more than 103 children's bones could have been examined, is it not reasonable to assume that a far higher contamination figures than 3.2 strontium units would have been revealed because more children would have been examined? Secondly, as strontium deposits from explosions which have already taken place will be continuing to accumulate for the next ten years, does the Prime Minister not think that the figure of ten units which the Medical Research Council regarded as the level requiring immediate reconsideration will shortly be reached, at least for some children?
§ The Prime MinisterI should have thought that that was unlikely. I remind the hon. Member, however, that the 1584 Medical Research Council report suggested that 100 units should be taken as the maximum permissible level, and I agree that when it reached ten units consideration should be given to the position.
§ Colonel BeamishIf we are to indulge in misleading propaganda, what conclusion should be draw from the fact that the birth rate of healthy babies in the Harwell housing estates is roughly 50 per cent. above the national average?
§ The Prime MinisterStatistics are notoriously very dangerous things.