§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies have been made of the amount of radiation recorded in Britain arising from the Chernobyl incident; what assessment has been made, or is to he made, of the implications of that amount of radiation recorded for (i) the future incidence of radiation-induced congenital abnormalities and (ii) the incidence of radiation-induced cancers over the next 30 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe are advised that the levels of radiation arising from the Chernobyl incident in air, water and milk have been monitored continuously, are very low, and would result in doses to the public well below internationally accepted limits.
For any individual the additional risk of developing radiation-induced cancer is so small as to be negligible and no increase in cases of radiation-induced congenital abnormalities would be expected.