§ 28. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Health if he can state the present policy of hospitals regarding X-ray examinations of expectant mothers having regard to the potential danger to the unborn child; and what investigation is being made into the industrial use of radiation plant, in view of the danger to life and health in its unqualified use.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIt would be for the doctor concerned with any particular case to decide whether an expectant mother should be X-rayed, balancing his estimate of the potential danger against the medical value of the examination. The industrial use of irradiating apparatus is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, who has asked me to refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to a Question by him on 26th February.
§ Mr. JannerWhile thanking the right hon. and learned Gentleman for his reply, may I ask whether he does not agree that a very careful watch must be kept on this situation at present, particularly in view of the fact that every time an X-ray takes place some tissue is affected? And now that, unhappily, there is fall-out through the use of materials in bomb tests which cause this difficulty, will the Minister do what he can to see that the greatest care is taken in the use of X-rays?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI recognise that central guidance on radiation hazards 830 from diagnostic X-rays would be welcomed by the medical profession, but this subject is being studied by the Committee under Lord Adrian's chairmanship. Meanwhile, I think we ought to be clear that there is no reason at all to suppose that X-ray examinations will be ordered in an irresponsible way.