§ 71. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister for Science, what is the latest information he has received from the Agricultural Research Council about the increase of strontium 90 in milk; to what causes it is attributed; and what action he will take to warn the public about possible dangers.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithMeasurements of strontium 90 in milk up to the end of June, 1959, were published last Monday in the Agricultural Research Council Radiobiological Laboratory's Second Report. The increase shown is attributed to the high rate of fall-out between November, 1958, and May, 1959, resulting from atomic weapon trials in northern latitudes in the autumn of 1958. Such information as is available for samples collected after June, 1959, shows that the values have since decreased. The highest levels of strontium 90 recorded in milk would not lead to levels in human bone which, in the opinion of the Medical Research Council, would necessitate immediate consideration. As I informed the House on 18th February, the Medical Research Council keeps the matter under constant review and is preparing a comprehensive assessment of the significance of all available evidence.
73. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Health, as representing the Minister of Science, whether he has considered the possibility of the next report of Harwell scientists on strontium in human bone giving figures of strontium deposits in the bones of children between 5 and 10 years, in addition to the age categories now covered by their periodic reports; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe possibility of giving such figures in future reports is being kept in view but the mortality rate of children between 5 and 10 years old is happily extremely low and bone samples for this age group have therefore been too few to justify separate analysis. 93W Measurements for this age group have up to now been included in the figures for the larger group of 5–20 years.