§ 63. Mr. Philip Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number who would be killed and wounded, and of the area of total destruction, if a 50 kiloton nuclear bomb were exploded above the market place in Derby; and what would be the corresponding estimated figures if a similar bomb were exploded on the ground.
§ Sir F. SoskiceIn accordance with the guidance contained in the Home Office Manual of Civil Defence: Vol. I, Pamphlet No. I, Nuclear Weapons, the area of total destruction from such a weapon, exploded in the air, would extend to about three-quarters of a mile from ground zero. In the case of a ground 19W explosion, the area of total destruction would be about one-third less. The number of casualties would, in either case, depend on a variety of factors which prevent a quantitative assessment.