§ 46 and 47. Mr. Watkinsasked the Prime Minister (1) whether he will indicate the districts in Wales where regular sampling of the determination of the deposit of strontium 90 due to fall-out from nuclear weapon trials have taken place; and what are the latest results;
(2) whether the investigation into the cause of the situation arising from the apparent higher average of the deposit of strontium 90 due to fall-out from nuclear weapon trials on Welsh hills has been completed; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
Samples are taken for analysis of the level of strontium 90 derived from fall-out in the Cwmystwyth district of Cardiganshire and at Lake Vyrnwy in Montgomeryshire. In addition, representative samples of milk, 96W potatoes and green vegetables are being taken throughout Wales. To publish isolated data would tend to mislead rather than help as only an annual review of the collected data can give a reliable assessment of the situation. The 1957 figures will be published in a month or two.
The investigation into the causes of the relatively higher levels of deposition in Wales has been in progress some months and is continuing, but I am advised that there is no evidence to suggest that these levels constitute a danger to the human population.