HC Deb 24 February 1983 vol 37 c489W
Mr Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how his Department calculates official estimates of the number of casualties in the event of a nuclear war.

Mr. Mayhew

First, by relating possible patterns of attack to the geographical distribution of the population. Then by assessing the likely rates of deaths and injuries with reference to standard texts on the effects of nuclear weapons and to the protection available to the population.