§ Q9. Mr. Pavittasked the Prime Minister how many explosions in the Christmas Island nuclear tests have been monitored what is the estimate of megaton size in each case; what will be the total megatonnage in this test series; and when it will conclude.
§ The Prime MinisterIf the hon. Member has in mind the monitoring of tests for fallout, I would refer him to the answers which I have given to Questions on this subject. For the rest, the House will understand that in these matters we work closely with the United States Government and we are taking advantage of the opportunity of improving our knowledge of monitoring techniques. As regards the scale of the tests, I have already told the House that the total explosive power of the American test series will be only a small proportion of that of the Soviet test series. President Kennedy has said that the United States series will be concluded within two or three months of its inception, which was on 25th April. I cannot, however, enter into details of the programme.
26WKingdom in 1960 and 1961 are as follows:
§ Q12. Mr. Dribergasked the Prime Minister to what extent the second report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation will include estimates of the number of new cases of bone cancer, leukemia, and genetic damage likely to be caused by the Soviet tests of 1961 and the current Anglo-American tests; and if he will publish in HANSARD, in language as non-technical as possible, a summary of this information.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I told the hon. Member on 10th April, we are awaiting the second report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. I cannot anticipate the contents of the report.