HC Deb 01 November 1955 vol 545 cc90-1W
62. Mr. Mason

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he has taken note of a suggestion made by Dr. T. C. Carter, one of the British representatives, during the Geneva Atoms for Peace Conference that a 10-year medical study of people who are living on granite and consequently are continually being bombarded with atomic rays would be much more valuable than experiments with mice in deciding whether the weak atomic rays released by atomic power stations are likely to affect future generations; and whether he will act upon it.

Mr. Bevins

I am informed that Dr. Carter did not express the view attributed to him in the hon. Member's Question, and that the Medical Research Council attach great importance to the studies on mice which he is carrying out. The Council is also sponsoring other investigations of the possible long-term effects of nuclear radiation on human beings and is considering the suggestion that studies should be undertaken on populations in areas of varying natural radioactivity.

64. Mr. Mason

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, in what official capacity Sir Ernest Rock Carling attended the Geneva Atoms for Peace Conference; and whether the paper he presented had the approval of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Bevins

I understand that Sir Ernest Rock Carling attended the Geneva Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy as a member of the delegation from the United Kingdom, which included many non-Governmental as well as Governmental members. The views he expressed in his paper were his own, and there was no question of their being approved by Her Majesty's Government.

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