HC Deb 04 May 1964 vol 694 cc896-7
32. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Minister of Health what official research is being undertaken into the incidence of leukaemia by Service men who were situated in the area of the atomic explosions in Japan in August 1945.

Mr. Barber

I know of none.

Mr. Stratton Mills

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I know of at least three seamen who served in the area of the atomic explosions and who have contracted leukaemia but have great difficulty in proving any scientific connection between the two events? Will not my right hon. Friend look into this with a view to helping these men? Can he confirm that there is no link between atomic explosions and this disease?

Mr. Barber

All I can say is that I have looked into the suggestion, which my hon. Friend has previously made, that fine radioactive ash fell on the aircraft carrier "Implacable" in August, 1945. There is no Admiralty record of such ash having fallen and, after very careful inquiries, I do not think that any research is called for. If my hon. Friend has any further information, however, I shall be happy to consider it.