§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in setting up the body referred to in recommendation 10(d) of the report of the independent advisory group chaired by Sir Douglas Black which investigated the possible increased incidence of cancer in West Cumbria.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Government have decided to set up a committee on the medical aspects of radiation in the environment (COMARE). This will be an expert advisory committee with members chosen by the Chief Medical Officer for their medical and scientific expertise. It will offer Government independent medical and 773W scientific advice on the health effects of ionising and non ionising radiation in the environment whether natural or manmade. Government departments will be represented by assessors. The secretariat will be provided jointly by our Department and the National Radiological Protection Board.
Its terms of reference are to:
assess and advise Government on the health effects of natural and manmade radiation in the environment and to assess the adequacy of the available data and the need for further research.The committee will provide the "designated body" with significant health representation recommended by the Black advisory group. In reaching decisions about discharges of radioactivity from nuclear sites and related activities on environmental monitoring the authorising departments will give full weight to medical advice from the committee. This will ensure, as recommended by the Black advisory group, that the control of permitted discharges takes account of all relevant factors.
One of its main tasks will be to advise on the results of the work which was recommended in Sir Douglas Black's report, and to consider the health implications of any research results or other information which becomes available. I will make a further announcement when the chairman and members have been appointed.