§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the light of medical evidence from the United States of America, he has any intention of postponing the installation of the proposed extremely low frequency test facility in Glengarry forest; whether he has commissioned any research into the links between extremely low frequency transmissions and the levels of cancer and leukaemia in local populations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe proposed extremely low frequency test facility in Glengarry is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence. I understand that the Ministry will be consulting the planning authority for the Glengarry forest in accordance with the guidelines for Government Departments laid down in the Scottish Development Department's circular No. 21/1984. Only if the Ministry of Defence and the planning authority fail to agree would the Secretary of State for Scotland become involved, and it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment at this stage on the merits of the proposed development. I have not commissioned any research into the links between extremely low frequency transmissions and the levels of cancer and leukaemia in local populations, but I understand that studies undertaken in the United States of America have established no such links.