HC Deb 18 November 1958 vol 595 cc996-7
26. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention was called to the possible dangers to the health of the people of Glasgow by a radioactive cobalt capsule being taken out of the custody of the exhibitors in Kelvin Hall; what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the public from such mishaps in future; and whether he will give an assurance that all present danger has passed.

Mr. N. Macpherson

My right hon. Friend is informed that the capsule had a strength of 10 micro curies and that its radioactivity presents no greater hazard than that from some articles in common use such as certain luminised dials. It has now been established that the capsule, which as reported in the Press was found last week, is not the one supplied by the Atomic Energy Authority to the exhibitors but an imitation which is not radioactive; and the police inquiries to trace the original are continuing. The question whether, in the light of this incident, any steps of a general nature should be taken is being considered.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there was great concern last weekend about what might have been a very serious matter? Does he agree that such articles should not be put on exhibit? Who was responsible for bringing a thing of that kind—however dangerous—into a public exhibition? Is it the case that the people in charge did not know the dangers and so misled the police and the general public?

Mr. Macpherson

The right hon. Gentleman said that it might have been a serious matter. It would have been only if the strength of the capsule had been very much greater. The capsule was in a container which would have prevented any such damage arising if the capsule had not been removed from the container.

Mr. Woodburn

If it was in a container, how could the public have seen anything? The container would have looked the same if it had not contained a radioactive substance. Could not it have been exhibited in that way?

Mr. Macpherson

I understand that this capsule was being demonstrated by a firm which specialises in the manufacture of equipment and that it was to demonstrate detection equipment. One could not demonstrate detection equipment without having some radioactive material present.