HC Deb 14 April 1959 vol 603 cc811-2
48. Mr. Mason

asked the Prime Minister to what extent this country has been affected by the recent increase in radioactive fall-out following the Russian and United States tests; and whether he will make a statement to allay fears now prevalent following the United States test disclosures.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

As my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General said on 19th March in answer to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun), a report containing the results of monthly measurements for strontium 90 in rainfall in the United Kingdom up to August, 1958, is in the Library of the House. This shows some increase during the summer months, but it is impossible to say which of many factors, including increased rainfall, was responsible. In any event, we are nowhere near a level which would cause concern about human health.

Mr. Mason

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the tests responsible for this greatly increased radioactivity took place many months ago and that our monitoring station in this country would record that fact shortly afterwards? Do not these facts lead us to believe that the Government deliberately withheld information on this matter? Secondly, is there not now a case for the Medical Research Council to assess the injurious effects of increased radioactivity on plant, animal and human life?

Mr. Butler

According to the latest report which we have had, what I said in my Answer—namely, that there has been some increase in the summer months—represents the truth. This is allied with the statement that rainfall has been about 1.7 times the average of the previous three years, and it is thought that there is a connection between the two. Certainly we shall give the House the latest information which we have, and in my Answer I included a reference to that latest information.

Mr. Bevan

Are we now to look upon a heavy increase in rainfall apprehensively? I do not know what the technical aspects of the matter are. Probably hon. Members in all parts of the House share my ignorance, but the rain could not bring something down that had not gone up, could it? As the Lord Privy Seal is so fond of quoting the agreement on certain matters between that side of the House and this, may I say that if we had had our way these tests would have been stopped by us unilaterally long ago?

Mr. Butler

This is not a question relating to the wider issue of tests which the right hon. Gentleman has brought into his supplementary question. Nor can I compete with him in the simplicity with which he explained natural phenomena, but I will say that the greater incidence of rain is one of the points which has been borne in mind and reported on in the latest report which has been made available to hon. Members.

Mr. Bevan

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether. before hydrogen bomb tests started, there was an increase in radioactivity in the world when there was an increase in rain?

Mr. Butler

No one has attempted to deny that if there is more of those substances in the upper atmosphere more will eventually come down.