§ Mr. Masonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science whether he is satisfied with the extent of British industry's interests in the use of radioactive isotopes; and what steps he is taking, in conjunction with the Atomic Energy Authority, to widen industry's knowledge of their uses.
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§ Mr. Denzil FreethAlthough sales of radioisotopes in 1961 increased by about 20 per cent. over the previous year, I believe there is still room for greater industrial use of radioactive isotopes. The Authority takes every opportunity of bringing potential uses to the attention of industry. For example, it has an isotope information bureau at its London Office, it runs an isotope school, and arranges exhibitions at home and overseas, films, lectures and visits to firms. The Authority and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research have jointly made special arrangements to bring the potential of isotope techniques to the knowledge of industrial research associations.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science what percentage of the annual total output of radioactive isotopes is being used by British industry, agriculture, medicine and universities, respectively.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethThe Atomic Energy Authority tells me that British industry, medicine and research including agricultural research, each take about 15 per cent. by value of the annual output of radioactive isotopes. The remainder are exported.
It is not feasible to give separate figures for research at universities, some of which is agricultural, and agricultural research as a whole.