§ 28. Mr. Fletcherasked the Postmaster-General what action he is taking in view of the report of the committee of experts regarding the safety precautions that should be taken to protect the public and operating staffs against the hazards of intense radio-frequency radiation that may be produced by high-power transmitters in forward-scatter radio stations.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Miss Mervyn Pike)Our own responsibility is for stations operated by the Post Office and for radio and radar stations for which a licence is required under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949. We propose to require the licensees of stations to which the precautions are applicable to give an undertaking to observe them.
§ Mr. FletcherIs the hon. Lady aware that the report of this committee of experts shows that the danger to health, and particularly to eyes, is much greater than was previously supposed, and that there is a danger to the public as well as to the staff, the danger area being wider than was supposed? What steps are being taken to acquaint the public of these dangers?
§ Miss PikeThe Postmaster-General issued a notice to the national, medical 201 and technical Press on 6th April drawing attention to the committee's report and to the forthcoming publication of the recommendations by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIn view of the apprehension that is being caused by this new development, will the hon. Lady give an undertaking that the Department will keep this matter under very close observation and keep the public fully informed of the position?