HC Deb 11 December 1963 vol 686 cc389-90
21. Mr. Rankin

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many tests for radioactivity in the waters of the Clyde were made during 1962; and what were the results.

The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. John Hay)

Two surveys were made in 1962 in connection with the presence of U.S. nuclear-powered submarines in the Holy Loch. The results showed no increase in radioactivity levels attributable to them.

Mr. Rankin

Besides helping to keep the waters of the Clyde clean, would the hon. Gentleman see what he can do to keep Dunoon clean, in view of the fact that he has some responsibility for Polaris on Clydeside? Is he aware that the most recent vital statistics, published in Scotland yesterday, show that in Dunoon there has been an increase of 400 per cert. since 1961 in the number of illegitimate births, and that that is disturbing the city council very seriously indeed—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I do not relate that matter to the form of radioactivity we are thinking of on the hon. Member's Question.

Mr. Rankin

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure whether it is radioactivity or the American activity, but I think it deserves the consideration of the Minister in view of the fact—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The one would be in order on the particular Question, but the other would not. That is the difference.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order. Are you ruling, Mr. Speaker, that American activity is in order, but the other aspect not?

Mr. Speaker

I am simply ruling that in so far as it related to purity, as against radioactivity, then the hon. Member's supplementary Question was in order, but that the rest of it, as far as I remember it, was not.

Mr. Rankin

Is it not the case that the Minister does have some responsibility for both types of activity? All I ask is that he should get in consultation with the city council and the Americans, with his own representatives to see what can be done to modify this situation.

Mr. Hay

I am not quite sure how much of that supplementary question I should answer. All I can say is that I am not really responsible for illegitimate births in Dunoon.