ATOM FALLOUT IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28742, 13 November 1958, Page 3

ATOM FALLOUT IN BRITAIN

“Not Attributable To Particular Tests”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 11. Most of the fallout deposited in Britain came from the stratosphere and could <fiot be attributed to particular weapon tests, the Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) told the House of Commons today. Answering a question by a ( Labour member, Mr Hector Hughes, the Prime Minister said: ‘‘There is no evidence that fallout from recent tests in the Pacific will modify earlier conclusions that the general level of radiation from weapon tests is so far very small compared with other sources, both natural and man-made. “No appreciable fallout could reach this country by sea from the Pacific.” Mr Hughes had asked about the effects op the health of the British people of fallout from the recent Pacific nuclear test. “Strontium 90” Answering another question, Mr Macmillan said the atomic energy, research establishment at Harwell would shortly publish a report giving the 1957 figures for strontium in soil, herbage, animal bone, and milk samples in Britain. He went on: “I understand these will show that the increase of strontium 90 in the bones of Welsh sheep in 1957 was much less than the increase recorded in 1955 and 1956. “The maximum levels are considerably below the minima which would justify any concern from the point of view of human and animal health,” Mr Macmillan added. A Labour member, Mr Frank Allaun, had asked if the Prime Minister knew that present figures showing that strontium 90 in the bones of Welsh sheep had increased in' one locality from 18 to 170 units between 1954 and 1956 was now two years out of date.