§ 50. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, to what extent the increases of leukaemia of 26 per cent. in the county of Essex, of 59 per cent. in Cumberland, 39 per cent. in Cambridgeshire, 65 per cent. in Monmouth and Montgomeryshire and 80 per cent. in Caernarvonshire since 1950 now indicate that radio-strontium fall-out is becoming serious; and if he will make a further statement on the matter.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithMy noble Friend is advised that it is highly unlikely that these changes can be attributed to radio-strontium fall-out. For some thirty years death rates from leukaemia have been observed to be increasing in all countries, where good records are kept, including the United Kingdom. Moreover, in small localities where prevailing levels have been low, as in several of those counties mentioned, they would be expected to rise towards the national average.