HL Deb 03 November 1998 vol 594 cc41-2WA
Viscount Exmouth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in light of recent reports relating to the harmful effects of the use of mobile phones, they will instruct that all such devices carry an appropriate health warning. [HL3523]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)

Advice on exposure to electromagnetic fields is given by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). They evaluate published and peer reviewed, sound scientific evidence on which their guidelines for exposure are based. The exposure guidelines at mobile communications frequencies are based on well established thermal effects. Mobile phones in use in the United Kingdom should comply with the guidelines.

While there has been renewed media interest in this subject, there has been no new evidence recognised by the scientific community on which to base any changes to the guidelines. The NRPB Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation continues to review the published literature.

There are no plans to require mobile phones to have a health warning.