§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research work is currently undertaken by her Department on the effect of sustained decreases of total column ozone upon levels of non-melanoma skin cancers and eye cataracts.
§ Mr. SackvilleI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 19 October at column80. Ultraviolet radiation (UV) monitoring undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) has indicated no significant departures from the expected norms since measurements began in 1988. The Medical Research Council is currently conducting basic research into the mechanisms of UV related carcinogenesis. In addition, the NRPB has established an advisory group to examine the scientific literature on health hazards from UV. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) proposes to give advice on further research needs once the NRPB advisory group has reported.