§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the date and time at which the first sample of milk was taken for analysis for caesium 137, the number of samples subsequently taken and the period which normally elapses between collection of a milk sample and completion of analysis for this radioisotope.
§ Mrs. FennerThe first sample of milk for analysis for caesium 137 was taken on the morning of 29 April and over 600 samples have since been taken by my Department. Samples have also been taken by Welsh Office agriculture department, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland and the National Radiological Protection Board.
The great majority of results are available on the day following collection, but, if necessary, some have been made available within a few hours. The period which elapses between collection of a milk sample and completion of analysis would normally depend on the distance from the sampling point to the laboratory.