§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration has been given to the allegations that 80,000 British children are suffering or have suffered from fall-out from nuclear fission experiments; and, in view of the possible alarm such allegations may cause, what steps are being taken publicly to refute them.]
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, Professor Sternglass's views on the effects of radiation from fall-out on children in this country and elsewhere have already been assessed by an expert committee of the Medical Research Council. This commit-tee has concluded that by normal scientific criteria the evidence he has collected does not prove, or even support, his hypo-theses. Professor Sternglass's assertions 623 have been publicly challenged by other acknowledged experts.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for her reply, may I ask whether it does not strengthen the very severe criticism of this alarmist statement by the American professor, and thus relieve the anxiety of a large number of people in this country?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Sorensen, for his remarks. We would hope that if this statement is placed on record it will have the effect which the noble Lord has suggested.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, would my noble friend agree that there is still considerable doubt in the whole of this sphere? Particularly in view of the death yesterday of Lord Russell, is it not desirable in his memory, and in memory of those who have been pioneers in this respect, that some very thorough investigations should be made?—because there is still great fear in many parts of the world.
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I should like at once to reassure the noble Lord that a very thorough investigation is being made all the time, particularly by the Medical Research Council. I spent a lot of time reading the last documents, and I am assured that even this week there is a further meeting on this specific point. So I assure the noble Lord that this matter is under constant review by the Medical Research Council.
§ BARONESS GAITSKELLMy Lords, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that when this statement was made on "The World At One" it was immediately refuted by another scientist? Would not the Minister agree that such disputed statements can only cause alarm and despondency?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I would of course agree with the noble Baroness that anything which attempts to bring emotion into what is a purely scientific argument (if I dare suggest it) can do nothing other than harm. I am grateful to her for bringing this point forward.
§ THE EARL OF GLASGOWMy Lords, may I ask the noble Baroness whether 624 she is aware that it is intended to build a large industrial complex around a very old-fashioned nuclear power station at Hunterston, on the North Ayrshire coast? May I have the assurance of the Government that the very grave dangers of doing such a thing are being seriously taken into account?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I am sure the noble Earl will appreciate that that is another question. I should be grateful if he would put it down, and then I will give him the necessary reply.
§ THE EARL OF GLASGOWMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness.
THE EARL OF DUNDONALDMy Lords, following the supplementary question of my noble friend, may I ask if the noble Baroness can say whether it is correct that nuclear fall-out is more substantial in areas of heavy rainfall such as the West of Scotland, Wales and the West of England?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, so far as one can ascertain from the statistics provided by the United States, the wet States—in other words, those with heavy rainfall—in fact suffer more from the fall-out; yes, that is so.