§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy which body will be responsible, after the privatisation of the electricity industry, for the current research in which the Central Electricity Generating Board is engaged on the possible health hazards associated with exposure to power frequency electro-magnetic fields from power lines and other sources.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerAfter privatisation, the part of the CEGB responsible for the transmission system will form the National Grid Company and will continue the programme of work already started to investigate the possible effects to human health of electro-magnetic fields emanating from power cables. In addition, independent research on the subject is also undertaken at a number of universities and hospitals.
Government are kept informed of these developments via officials in the Departments of Energy and Health, the Health and Safety Executive, and the National Radiological Protection Board.