The Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation was established by the General Assembly at its tenth session on 3 December 1955, under resolution 913 (X), as a result of debates held in the First Committee from 31 October to 10 November 1955. The terms of reference of the Committee were set out in paragraph 2 of the above-mentioned resolution by which the General Assembly requested the Committee: "(a) To receive and assemble in an appropriate and useful form the following radiological infonnation furnished by States Members of the United Nations or members of the specialized agencies: "(i) Reports on observed levels of ionizing radiation and radio-activity in the environment ; "(ii) Reports on scientific observations and experiments relevant to the effects of ionizing radiation upon man and his environment already under way or later undertaken by national scientific bodies or by authorities of national Governments; · " ( b) To recommend uniform standards with respect to procedures for sample collection and instrumentation, and radiation counting procedures to be used in analyses of samples; " ( c) To compile and assemble in an integrated manner the various reports, referred to in sub-paragraph (a) ( i) above, on observed radiological levels ; " ( d) To review and collate national reports, referred to in sub-paragraph. (a) (ii) above, evaluating each report to determine its usefulness for the purposes of the Committee; "(e) To make yearly progress reports and to develop by 1 July 1958, or earlier if the assembled facts warrant, a summary of the reports received on radition levels and radiation effects on man and his environment together with the evaluations provided for in sub-paragraph (d) above and indications of research projects which might require further study; "(f) To transmit from time to time, as it deems appropriate, the documents and evaluations referred to above to the Secretary-General for publication and dissemination to States Members of the United Nations or members of the specialized agencies