§ Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements have been made to stockpile un-contaminated foods and milk substitutes to be make available in the event of widespread contamination following a nuclear attack.
§ Mr. SoamesRadioactive fall-out is a fine dust. A fraction of it can enter into food through direct contact or into crops from absorption from the soil, or, in the case of milk, through ingestion by the cow from contaminated pastures. It cannot harm food held in dust-proof containers such as cans, bottles, pliofilm or waxed paper, or food which is stored in dust-proof buildings. Where food is exposed to fall-out dust and is stored in porous materials such as sacks, it will be free from contamination if the outer layers are set aside. My Department's stockpile of food takes these factors into account.