Leukaemia

Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Health – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 9 May 1960.

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Photo of Mr William Whitlock Mr William Whitlock , Nottingham North 12:00, 9 May 1960

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of leukaemia were reported in 1939, 1950, 1957, 1958. and 1959, respectively, in the area consisting of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and Nottinghamshire; and what were the arrangements for monitoring the presence of radio-strontium fall-out in the atmosphere in that area.

Photo of Mr Derek Walker-Smith Mr Derek Walker-Smith , Hertfordshire East

Figures of cases of leukaemia occurring in these areas are not available. The numbers of deaths recorded in 1950, 1957, 1958, 1959 are, respectively, 128, 163, 166 and 191. My noble Friend the Minister for Science informs me that fall-out radioactivity in air at ground level is monitored daily at Harwell and estimations are made of the radiostrontium content. Inhalation is a minor source of intake and a single station for the country is therefore considered adequate.

Photo of Mr William Whitlock Mr William Whitlock , Nottingham North

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that these figures will add greatly to the concern of people who have seen that the national figures are also on the increase, and that Strontium 90 in the bones of children and in milk is also greatly increasing? Does not he agree that these figures seem to indicate that there is some association between leukaemia and man-made radiation, and that they illustrate that there is a need for a supreme effort at the Summit to end the position in which innocent people and, possibly, future generations are being disastrously affected by man-made radiation?

Photo of Mr Derek Walker-Smith Mr Derek Walker-Smith , Hertfordshire East

As I have informed the House before, the incidence of the death rate of leukaemia has been rising since about 1920—in other words. long before the particular source of man-made radiation to which the hon. Gentleman made particular reference. The trend in the area to which his Question relates is just about in line with the national average for England and Wales.

Photo of Dr Edith Summerskill Dr Edith Summerskill , Warrington

In view of the fact that the most eminent authorities attribute the increase in leukaemia to fallout, would the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider, in order that we should have full statistics, making leukaemia a disease compulsorily to be registered by doctors?

Photo of Mr Derek Walker-Smith Mr Derek Walker-Smith , Hertfordshire East

We can certainly look into that suggestion, but I do not know that I can go along with the right hon. Lady in her confident attribution of the causation of leukaemia. I am advised that no single cause accounts for this increase. Partly, it is due to greater awareness and to better diagnosis, and partly to the increasing age of the population, since this is primarily a disease of old people. Statistical studies are being made into the relation between small doses of radiation, such as can be caused by fall-out, and leukaemia.