§ 32. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science if he will give the latest information available to him regarding the content of strontium 90 in children's bones.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry for Science (Mr. Denzil Freeth)The latest information available regarding the content of strontium 90 in children's bones is contained in the Medical Research Council's Monitoring Report No. 1, published in December, 1960.
§ Mr. AllaunDoes not that Report show that, despite assurances that the level would fall following the suspension of tests three years ago, it was still rising and, in the case of one child, was dangerously near the 10 strontium unit level? Is it not surprising that the Agricultural Research Council's Report, a few weeks ago, showed that it depended not so much on the rate of deposit as on the total accumulation?
§ Mr. FreethI think that the encouraging fact which emerged from the Report of the Agricultural Research Council was that the amount of strontium 90 in milk was becoming lower during the twelve months ended June last than in the previous twelve months. That is a trend which we all hope is continuing.