HC Deb 13 May 1965 vol 712 cc104-5W
46. Mr. Garrow

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that the monitoring services of the Medical Research Council have reported an increase in the amount of radio-strontium found in the bones of young children in Glasgow; and if he will make inquiries into the matter.

Mr. Crosland

Yes. The Medical Research Council report published on 6th May, 1965, deals with the findings of Strontium 90 in samples of human bone in the first half of 1964. The figures recorded for the Glasgow area are in close agreement with those for other areas of the United Kingdom. A general increase in the amount of radio-strontium in the bones of young children has been expected throughout 1964 as a result of the major nuclear tests carried out in the autumn of 1961 and 1962 but the levels found remain well within those specified by the Medical Research Council in 1960 as the maximum permissible. The matter is kept under continual review as part of the national arrangements for monitoring levels of radioactivity in this country.