§ 75. Mr. Blackburnasked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement as to the progress made either in Britain or Canada with the production of radium and of radio-active isotopes as by-products of atomic energy.
§ Mr. WilmotRadium is not produced as a by-product of the release of atomic energy. An atomic energy "pile" capable of producing radio-active isotopes is nearing completion in Canada and arrangements have been made for the distribution of some of its products to 5W recognised institutions in the United Kingdom. Production of radio-active isotopes will commence in this country on the completion of the "piles" now under construction.
§ 76. Mr. Blackburnasked the Minister of Supply whether he will make it plain that the Government establishments for atomic research in no way endanger the lives or property of persons living in the localities concerned.
§ Mr. WilmotI am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me this opportunity el repeating quite categorically that the danger to surrounding areas from the Atomic Energy Research Establishment is negligible. The carrying on of atomic research work as such will not involve risk of explosion. None of the processes to be employed could possibly cause such risk, and the apparatus used in the establishment will be as safe as a normal industrial plant.