STRONTIUM 90 (Hansard, 26 March 1959)

§ 48. Mr. Grimond
asked the Prime Minister what the latest information about the fall of strontium 90 shows; and if he will make a statement.

§ 49. Mr. Warbey
asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent evidence adduced by Government authorities in the United States of America that the rate of fall-out of strontium 90 and other radioactive products of nuclear weapon tests is much higher than previously estimated, he will request the Medical Research Council to make a revised report on the resultant hazards to human life.

§ The Prime Minister
The United States Government Report, to which I presume, these Questions refer, is not yet available in this country. We are obtaining copies urgently, but until these have been obtained, I cannot make any statement about this matter.

§ Mr. Grimond
While appreciating that the Prime Minister has not yet studied this report, may I ask him whether this also was a subject which was under discussion in Russia and America during his recent visits; and, if not, will he say how the whole question of the limitation of tests and the exchange of information is to be handled now that, unfortunately, the Geneva Conference seems to be breaking 1520 up? Is he aware that it appears that the information that we have grossly underestimates the danger?

§ The Prime Minister
Of course, we will study the new technical information, and I shall await the advice of my own technical experts in assessing it. With regard to the Geneva Conference, it is on holiday until 13th April.

§ Mr. Warbey
Is not it clear from the reports available in the Press that each successive re-assessment of the extent and effect of nuclear fall-out reveals a worsening of the prospect for human life? Will he therefore undertake, since some Governments seem to be reluctant to disclose information on these matters until it is forced out of them, that as far as this country is concerned, we shall have very quickly an up-to-date and realistic assessment of the danger to human life in this country?

§ The Prime Minister
I am afraid I cannot accept the innuendo in the hon. Gentleman's statement. We have made information available all the time as it is given to us by our advisers.