Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence was presented by his Department to the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) study on the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston and Royal Ordnance Burghfield; what evaluation has been made of extant evidence linking leukaemias to the operation at these two plants; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe information supplied by my Department to COMARE to assist its examination of the evidence available into the incidence of cancer in the west Berkshire and north Hampshire area in which AWRE and ROF (Burghfield) are situated, (now known respectively as AWE Aldermaston and AWE Burghfield) has included data on liquid and airborne radioactive discharges as well as other detailed information on aspects of the operations involving radioactive and toxic materials conducted at the two sites, covering the whole period of their use as nuclear facilities. COMARE has been asked to evaluate the available epidemiological evidence on the incidence of childhood cancer, including leukaemia, in the area and comment on possible causes.
Once COMARE has completed its report, it will be published. I do not know what it will contain and in any event would not wish to pre-empt its findings.