§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether Her Majesty's Government are carrying out or intend to carry out any investigations into the incidence of childhood cancers in the areas around (a) Holy loch and (b) Rosyth.
§ Mr. John MacKay[pursuant to his reply, 9 December 1985, c. 459]I am advised that there is no established connection between nuclear plants and the incidence of cancers in the surrounding population. Regular monitoring is carried out on environmental levels of radiation in the 747W vicinity of nuclear establishments. There are a number of detailed studies currently in progress into the incidence of cancers in the United Kingdom. These include studies of areas both around and remote from nuclear establishments. The results of these studies will be considered by the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment as they become available. In the meantime COMARE will consider any other relevant information put to it relating to the incidence of childhood cancers in the area around Rosyth and Holy loch.
The establishment of COMARE was announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the then Minister for Health on 25 July with the objective of offering Government independent medical and scientific advice on the health effects of natural and man-made radiation in the environment.