10. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, when the Report of the Veale Committee, examining the training requirements of health officers on radiation hazards, is expected to be published.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithMy noble Friend is advised by the Atomic Energy Authority that the Veale Committee hopes to submit their Final Report in February, and that it will be published as soon as possible thereafter.
Mrs. ButlerCan the Minister indicate when such a training course for medical officers is likely to be in operation? I ask this question because many of them are very apprehensive about their lack of training and that of their staffs. At the moment, they are seeking training in Civil Defence courses and in other ways, which cannot possibly be so satisfactory as properly organised courses on peace-time hazards from radiation which the Veale Committee is investigating.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithWe will just have to see what the Veale Committee recommends in its final Report about the organisation of training courses. However, as the hon. Lady is no doubt aware, as a result of the Veale Committee's first interim report, special postgraduate courses have been set up at Birmingham University and elsewhere and, as a result of the second interim report, a summer school was held very successfully at Oxford; so we are seeing a good deal of activity in this important subject.