HC Deb 09 March 1959 vol 601 cc876-7
34. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Lord President of the Council, when the Agricultural Research Council expects to issue its next annual report.

Mr. Godber

The Council expects to publish its next annual report in April.

Mrs. Butler

Can the Minister say whether the Council's report will contain any reference to the examination of the radioactive content of imported cereals other than flour, in view of the fact that rice has been shown to be highly absorbent of Strontium 90, and also of imported fish, in view of the great difficulty there is in ascertaining the effect of radioactive waste on the movement of shoals of fish in different parts of the world?

Mr. Godber

I would ask the hon. Lady to await the report, and then if she has any points to put to me I shall be very happy to go into them then.

Dr. Summerskill

Can the non. Gentleman comment on the statement last week by Euratom which said that the degree of radioactivity in the air over Europe now called for the greatest vigilance? In view of this, will he examine the effect on imports, particularly of vegetables, which the Prime Minister has said were a source of radioactivity?

Mr. Godber

As regards vegetables, I would point out that the quantity imported was very small in relation to the total consumed. On the other point, there is a further Question on the Paper, and I ask the right hon. Lady to await the reply to it.