HC Deb 01 November 1990 vol 178 cc753-4W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what studies have been commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive into radiation risks at Sellafield using the epidemiological case control method;

(2) what studies have been commissioned by Her Majesty's Government recently into the health and work records of employees of British Nuclear Fuels plc.

Mr. Forth

Following publication of the Gardner report on childhood leukaemia and lymphoma in west Cumbria, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has commissioned studies to examine other factors which may be relevant to Professor Gardner's findings since there appeared to be a statistical association between the incidence of childhood leukaemia and lymphoma and paternal employment at the Sellafield reprocessing plant. These studies will comprise three parts:

  1. (a) an investigation to see if the case fathers' doses were exceptional compared with the Sellafield work force as a whole;
  2. (b) an investigation into the occupational histories of the case fathers to see if there are any common factors; and
  3. (c) an epidemiological case control study looking at workplace exposure and occupational histories.

The studies will proceed subject to the acceptance by the medical ethical committees of the United Kingdom of the HSE's proposals.