RADIOACTIVITY (Hansard, 28 April 1959)

§ 46. Captain Pilkington
asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement showing how the latest information 1099 affects the estimate, first, of natural radiation, man-made radiation and nuclear test radiation and, secondly, of strontium 90; and to what extent any of these figures approaches danger level.

§ The Prime Minister
As the statement is long and complicated, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
I will, however, say that I am advised that even if deposition of the strontium 90 that has already been injected into the stratosphere continues at the higher rate observed in the summer of 1958, the concentration of this substance in bone is unlikely to approach the level which the Medical Research Council advised in 1956 would require "immediate consideration".

§ Captain Pilkington
Will my right hon. Friend at least say whether he thinks that alarmist statements to the effect that the tests already carried out would be responsible for the death of about 80 children in each of the counties of this country are very deplorable indeed?

§ The Prime Minister
Yes, Sir; people would be very foolish and very wrong to make such statements.

§ Mr. Gaitskell
There is, nevertheless, a very great deal of public concern on this matter. In view of the Prime Minister's reply that the amount of radiation was unlikely to reach the danger point—not, if I may say so, a very strong statement—will he agree to give a little more information even now, apart from the statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

§ The Prime Minister
I considered that. I think it would really be easier to let the statement appear and then let Questions be based upon it, which I am ready to try to answer. It is always rather difficult to take up one point or another from a long report, and I think it would be more satisfactory to the House to follow the course I have suggested.

§ Dr. Summerskill
Will the Prime Minister in his reply indicate how far there is a consensus of opinion among all the eminent scientists of the world? Although, of course, he has able advisers, the difficulty in this matter is that there are other people equally able and knowledgeable who do not agree. Also, will he put in his answer not only what is the 1100 danger level and what the effect of the strontium is on the bone but also information about the genetic effects?

§ The Prime Minister
I have for some time promised to try to produce, or to ask my advisers to produce, a statement, not so long as to be almost unreadable for the ordinary person, not so technical as to be almost unintelligible, but sufficiently long to be an important contribution. I thought that the best thing was to publish this in the OFFICIAL REPORT and then to try on subsequent occasions to answer any questions which which be based upon it. I really think that that would be the most convenient method for the House as a whole.