HL Deb 04 November 1987 vol 489 cc985-7

3.5 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 what action they are taking following confirmation of leukaemia among children at more than double the average rate at Aldermaston and Burghfield and the publication of Sir Richard Doll's report, which states that similar findings at Sellafield make it likely that high childhood cancer rates in such areas are linked to nuclear weapon and reprocessing plants.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)

My Lords, the independent Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment was established in 1985 to advise government on possible health effects of radiation in the environment. It has already produced one report on Sellafield and is expected to report next year on Aldermaston. The Government have commissioned parallel research recommended in the Black Report and are supporting other research.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord for that reply. He will be aware not only that there have been other reports since the original one by Sir Douglas Black back in 1964 but that these reports have differed from each other. I think he will also agree with me that even people reading the same report have come to quite opposite conclusions as to what the situation really is. Is the noble Lord aware that I am very glad to hear that the Government are pursuing the matter? Does he agree in the meantime that the question of living near nuclear reactors is open to serious doubt, if no more than that?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, knowing his views, I am not surprised that the noble Lord has made a quantum leap in this direction. While the Government are aware that some studies completed recently report a higher than average incidence of leukaemia in young people in areas close to Sellafield and Aldermaston, we do not know the causes. Therefore further studies are under way to help identify possible causes.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, bearing in mind that parents of children in these areas must be worried sick and absolutely terrified by Questions on the Order Paper like this one, if there are any assurances to be given to parents will the Minister see that they are given?

Lord Skelmersdale

Yes, my Lords. I wish to goodness we could put quad erat demonstrandum at the bottom of this Question. Unfortunately we are now in a position where we might better use the Scottish legal verdict of not proven. But so far as reassurance to parents is concerned, I take the noble Lord's point.

The Earl of Halsbury

My Lords, can the noble Lord confirm that there are clusters of leukaemia dissociated from nuclear power all over the country; that the largest cluster in Scotland is around Inverness, which does not have a nuclear power station anywhere near it; and that in Cornwall, where the natural radiation dosage is far in excess of anything that would be authorised for a nuclear power station, there appears to be no cluster of leukaemia at all?

Lord Skelmersdale

Yes, my Lords. I am aware that there are clusters in this country totally unconnected with anything to do with nuclear power.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, do the Government accept the conclusions of Sir Richard Doll's study? May I ask the noble Lord what is the nature of any compensation for any cases of leukaemia arising directly from government policy and what medical intervention is proposed for children in these areas in order to allay natural fears?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, the disease we are talking about is leukaemia and the normal treatment for leukaemia would be appropriate in this case as in any other. As to whether we totally accept Sir Richard Doll's report, it recommends further study and it is the further study that we are carrying out.

Lord Chalfont

My Lords, will the Government take steps to publicise the cluster effect in statistical analysis referred to by my noble friend a moment ago and warn the public against drawing the kind of false conclusions that have been drawn by the noble Lord opposite?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, the point by the noble Earl, Lord Halsbury, is freely available in the published information. Whether we should do more than that I shall of course consider.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that, while it is quite right to warn the public against reaching false conclusions, it is equally right to warn them against being satisfied with false reassurances?

Lord Skelmersdale

My Lords, I do not think that I have given false reassurances. I have said twice now that this matter is unproven.