Mrs. Hillasked the Minister of Health (1) in view of the fact, revealed by Command Paper No. 9780, that diagnostic X-rays contribute far more to background radiation than any other source, including nuclear bomb tests, whether he is in a position to make a statement on the technical and administrative steps taken to reduce the amount of such radiation from hospital and other radiology units;
(2) in view of the increased evidence of the danger of leukaemia and of general hazard to health arising from radiation, what steps are being taken to ensure that patients under the National Health Service receive strictly limited, and not indiscriminate or repeated exposure, when undergoing X-ray examination.
§ Mr. VosperRadiologists and other members of the medical profession are well aware of these hazards, and I cannot accept the implication that patients are exposed indiscriminately or unnecessarily to radiation. The whole question is, however, under review by a Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Adrian, and any further action must await its report.