§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Defence what tests have been conducted
74W
NUMBERS OF YOUNG PERSONS (15–18) REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED ON 11TH JULY AND NUMBER OF NOTIFIED VACANCIES REMAINING UNFILLED AT 6TH JULY IN THE MIDLAND REGION, IN SCOTLAND AND IN THE COWDENBEATH EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AREAS RESPECTIVELY — Unemployed 11th July, 1960* Unfilled Vacancies 6th July, 1960 Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Midland Region … 287 196 483 9,441 9,141 18,582 Scotland … 3,468 1,911 5,379 2,460 5,273 7,733 Cowdenbeath E.E. Area … 60 51 111 — 3 3 *Provisional figures. to fully ascertain the dangers flowing from an accident involving a hydrogen bomb-carrying aircraft; what are the dangers involved; and if he is satisfied that sufficient knowledge is available, and has been communicated to all services, of what must be done to minimise any such accidents.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI would refer the hon. Member to the full explanation given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 4th February, 1958. As was then stated, there is no danger of the hydrogen bomb exploding if the aircraft crashes; the risk from radiation, if any, would be small; contamination of the ground, if it existed at all, would be limited to the immediate vicinity of the crash and could be dealt with by special teams. These conclusions are based on full investigation, including careful study of the information given to us by the United States authorities about certain accidents which have occurred in the United States.