§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what current studies are being undertaken by the Harwell research laboratories into the risks of inhalation and ingestion of alpha radiation emitted from plutonium.
§ Mr. EggarMy Department and the Department of Health contribute towards a range of research projects involving the inhalation and ingestion of various radionuclides. Details of these research studies are contained in AEA Technology's radiological protection research 1992 annual report. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if, pursuant to his answer of 22 October,Official Report, columns 362–63, he will make a further statement on the outcome of the analysis of the radioactive source.
§ Mr. EggarThe sealed radioactive source contained an extremely small quantity—a few thousandths of a gram—of plutonium.