§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will initiate a study into the level of chest diseases of those who live close to opencast coal mining operations; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe expert Advisory Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants has considered the results of a study in 1992 and concluded that there was no clear evidence that it is injurious to health to live in an area where opencast coal mining is carried out.
In October the Departments of the Environment anc of Health, together with the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, announced a £5 million research programme into the effects of air pollution on health, and invited research proposals. The closing date for proposals to be received is 30 December. Proposals for research into the health 1150W effect of opencast coal mining fall within the scope of this programme and, if submitted, will be considered for commissioning as part of the programme.