Strontium 90 (Hansard, 23 February 1959)

§ 32. Mr. Zilliacus
asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the 1956 wheat crop samplings tested in the United States of America had a strontium 90 content on or just over the limit for strontium 90 established by the Atomic Energy Commission, that the 1958 samplings averaged 50 per cent. above that limit, and that samples of Minnesota wheat contained six times as much, he will, after giving due notice prohibit the import from the United States of America of cereal and related products not reliably tested and warranted free from strontium 90.

§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)
I have seen Press reports about this, but have no other details at present. Further information about these samplings is being sought from the United States in order to assess any possible risk from importing the cereal products concerned.

§ Mr. Zilliacus
Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman know that this information came from a commission of scientists appointed by the Governor of Minnesota, that it is, therefore, of an official character, and that great concern was expressed by the commission at the indications that the strontium 90 content was steadily rising?

§ Mr. Walker-Smith
No, Sir. My understanding is that the Medical Research Council does not know of any figures published by the United States Atomic Energy Commission or any other body for the maximum permissible levels of daily intake of strontium in food. Maybe there is some misapprehension between us which we could clear up.

§ Dr. Summerskill
Last Monday a Question was asked about the contamination by radioactivity of imported food, and the House was told that no examination of any kind was made at the ports, although we have an extensive examination of home-produced food. Can the Minister tell us why this is?

§ Mr. Walker-Smith
My recollection is that this matter was dealt with last Monday, as the right hon. Lady suggests, and I think that then the position in regard to monitoring was spelt out to the House.

§ Dr. Summerskill
The Minister must not run away from things in this way. I asked him why no examination was made at the ports. He then tells the House that the position was spelt out to me. The position was spelt out to me— to use the curious language which the right hon. and learned Gentleman uses— about what is done with home-produced food, but the Parliamentary Secretary specifically said—I have the OFFICIAL REPORT with me—that no examination was made at the ports. I want the the Minister to tell me why.

§ Mr. Walker-Smith
My recollection is that it was then explained that it was not considered that an appreciable risk arose in regard to imported food and that that was the answer then given to the Question. With regard to the results of monitoring, there is a Question later on the Order Paper today to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.