HL Deb 30 June 1986 vol 477 cc581-4

2.38 p.m.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, having regard to new evidence of childhood leukaemia near Dounreay and other nuclear installations, they will phase out nuclear energy and close down reactors.

Viscount Davidson

No, my Lords.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that I did not expect an immediate affirmative Answer to my Question but I thought he might have vouchsafed a little more than that, and I hope he will do so now, when he considers that the Written Answer given by his Scottish colleague to Mr. John Corrie on 9th June referred to the disquieting results of a preliminary study by the Information Services Division of the Common Services Agency into the incidence of leukaemia in Scotland? Does he recall that that report stated that a further, fuller report was being prepared, or so the Written Answer said? Can he now tell us when this fuller report may be expected? Also, in the meantime, will he suggest to his right honourable friend the Energy Secretary that he controls his unbridled optimism just a little?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am sorry that my first Answer was so succinct. I have a copy of my right honourable friend's statement in another place. He did not in fact use the word "disquieting", but said that results were now available of a preliminary study. That study was the subject of an announcement made by my right honourable and learned friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 9th June, and it identified three specific postcode areas in Scotland where the incidence of leukaemia is higher than expected. One of these is in the vicinity of a nuclear installation, and the report recommends that further case studies should be undertaken to investigate a possible link between the incidence of leukaemia and low-level radiation. The report is to be submitted, after completion of some further work, to the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment for their information and advice.

The Earl of Lauderdale

My Lords, would my noble friend not agree that the number of cases sampled near Dounreay was in fact very few? Is it not also the case that these indications, so-called, of leukaemia are not matched in Orkney, just across the water?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, the study makes it clear that on the basis of the data examined there is no evidence that leukaemia occurs except on a purely random basis. It is well worth noting, however, that West Thurso had no cases for a decade or so before this cluster was identified, although Dounreay was in operation. If there is a link, it is a slender and elusive one which will require a lot of medical and scientific detective work to establish.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, is the Minister aware that a Question of this kind must absolutely terrify the parents and do so much harm unless backed by substantial medical evidence? Is it not about time that the Government themselves saw to it that parents in this area had their fears (if they have any) which are raised by Questions like this allayed? Is it not quite a monstrous thing to say that this is happening, especially to children, in such an area when in fact there is no medical proof?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I have to agree with the noble Lord, Lord Mellish, and I am grateful to him for his remarks. There is no doubt that the Government are taking it extremely seriously; but we do not want to over-emphasise the problem.

Lord Kimball

My Lords, is my noble friend aware of the report of the medical officer of health for the county of Sutherland, the late Dr. Lyndsey, who over many years—long before Dounreay was ever built—had to face up to the fact that the diseases prevalent among the communities huddled along the north coast of multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, melancholia and leukaemia were always out of proportion to the rest of Scotland, and even to the county of Sutherland itself? Is he also aware of the opinion of Dr. Lyndsey that in considering this problem one has to bear in mind the historic factors of isolation, inbreeding, and imbibing? Is my noble friend further aware, as I am myself as an employer of labour quite close to Dounreay, that the general wish of the whole population of the county of Sutherland and that part of Caithness is to get a job at Dounreay? Everybody wants more opportunities to work at Dounreay, and they are very grateful for the prosperity that the Atomic Energy Authority has brought to the whole north coast.

Noble Lords

Speech!

Lord Kimball

My Lords, my noble friend will be aware that this is a well read and well educated part of the country. People will understand the motives behind the Question of the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins, but they will not understand and will resent his deductions.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, my noble friend probably knows more about Dounreay than anyone else in your Lordships' House. I am grateful to him for emphasising the positive benefits which accrue to those who live in and around Dounreay.

The Earl of Halsbury

My Lords, will the noble Viscount confirm that the investigation which produced this evidence about Dounreay also disclosed three other clusters of leukaemia in Scotland around Inverness, which were not within 100 miles of a nuclear power station?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, the noble Earl is absolutely correct. In fact, I understand that there were two other clusters which were identified, and neither of them has any link with any nuclear establishment.

Lord Grimond

My Lords, is the Minister aware that, as well as the findings of the Medical Officer of Health for Caithness, the local Caithness doctors have just produced a report saying that in their view the health of Caithness is very good, as no doubt the noble Earl, Lord Caithness, will confirm, and that they can trace no direct relationship between these diseases and Dounreay? But, of course, leukaemia is a very frightening matter and there is some anxiety; so will the Minister undertake that the further inquiries are speeded up as far as possible? Will he also bear in mind that, whatever may be thought in the neighbouring counties, the closing of Dounreay would be an appalling blow for Caithness and, unless something was put in its place to give employment and well-being to the population, it would be a devastating affair for the whole north of Scotland?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Grimond. As I have said, the results of the inquiry are being sent to the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, is the Minister aware that in various parts of the world where there is no nuclear energy whatsoever there have been surveys which show clusters of leukaemia? Would it not be rather premature to start talking about closing successful nuclear energy plants based on so much inconclusive evidence?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I can completely agree with the noble Lord, Lord Dean.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, will the noble Viscount agree that the preliminary inquiry would not have been followed by a fuller report, which is to come, unless there were some prima facie evidence for concern? Further, is he aware that there is a substantial local debate going on in the area and that only one side of this has been heard on this side of the House? In these circumstances, does the noble Viscount agree that this matter is one of public concern and one that it is a public service to ventilate?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I shall certainly bring the noble Lord's words to the attention of my right honourable and learned friend. I am sure that he will give the noble Lord's words the attention that they deserve.