RUSSIAN NUCLEAR BOMB TESTS (Effect on people of Singapore)

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Health and Law whether he has any information as to the effect on the people of Singapore of the reported recent nuclear bomb tests carried out by the Russians.

Mr K. M. Byrne: Mr Speaker, Sir, experiments carried out by Dr Huq, Lecturer in Physics at the University of Malaya in Singapore, on radioactivity from stratospheric dust produced by the recent Russian nuclear explosions disclosed that local radioactivity has increased by a factor of 2. This increase is not dangerous, as an increase by a factor of 50 to 60 would be required to produce any real danger from contamination. However, the situation needs to be watched.

More sensitive apparatus is required to detect the presence of Strontium 90, which is readily absorbed by calcium and is taken into the body by foods with a high calcium content such as milk. Researches in this direction are necessary.

The provision of funds for the purchase of equipment to enable the Physics Department of the University of Malaya in Singapore to detect the presence of Strontium 90 is now receiving the immediate attention of the Government.

The potential radiation hazards from the fallout of atomic bomb tests are pollution of the air we breathe, the food we eat, especially milk, and the water we drink, constituting a threat not only to ourselves and our children, but also to unborn generations.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I have, as you know, removed to different surroundings and I have had the pleasure of discussing with medical men the effect of permutation of genes on the production of human offspring.

Mr Speaker, Sir, you yourself have kindly reminded the House of the approaching happy change in the personal status of the Member for Anson. Having now received the blessing of Abraham [Laughter], he will have no cause for alarm at the outcome of the recent Russian nuclear explosions, Sir.

Mr David Marshall: I am indebted to the Minister's kind assurance on that aspect. But I had in mind rather the wider aspect of what I understand to be the maximum time of danger for the people of this area in a few months' time. Would the Minister indicate whether information is that it is anticipated that the fallout in this area, has, in fact, hardly begun and that its maximum effect would take some months to be felt? Would he indicate whether he is keeping in touch with the World Health Organisation so that he would have maximum information in case any necessary precautions are required in this area?

Mr Byrne: That has been done and, in fact, I have written to the Federation Government and asked them to join in with this Government in the purchase of equipment for the Physics Department of the University of Malaya in Singapore to enable Professor Gatha and Dr Huq to identify Strontium 90.

Mr Ong Chang Sam: (In Mandarin): If as a result of the Russian nuclear bomb tests Singapore were to be affected, may I ask the Minister concerned whether he knows of any preventive measures?

Mr Speaker: My only hope is that an atomic bomb is not exploded in this Chamber! Mrs Seow Peck Leng.