§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Montserrat Government concerning the return of residents to exclusion zones. [108146]
§ Clare ShortIsland residents are not permitted in the Exclusion Zone by order of the Governor, under his Emergency Powers. The Governor takes regular advice from scientists and the Volcano Executive Group.782W Following the last scientific assessment (December 1999) there is no immediate prospect of residents being allowed to return to live in the excluded areas.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what reports she has received of the long-term health risks to residents in Montserrat in areas affected by volcanic ash containing high percentages of cristobalite; [108141]
(2) what reports she has received on the effect on the health of residents of ash deposits in Montserrat. [108142]
§ Clare ShortMy Department has commissioned and received a number of reports from a Consultant Occupational Physician at the University of Cambridge. These include a report of research carried out on respiratory function and asthma in children (April 1998), one describing the health hazards of volcanic ash in areas south of the Belham Valley (July 1999), and health risk annexes to Scientific and Hazard Assessment reports received over the last two years, the latest in December 1999.
Future reports will include (i) the outcomes of two toxicological studies on the long-term effects of exposure to volcanic ash (ii) conclusions on the respiratory health of Montserratians on island and (iii) estimates of the long-term effects and health risks associated with cristobalite in volcanic ash.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what health checks have been provided for Montserratians in (i) Montserrat and (ii) the UK following their exposure to ash. [108140]
§ Clare ShortWe organised health checks for all Montserratians evacuated to the UK under the HMG sponsored evacuation arrangements. Follow-up checks are under consideration. The Government of Montserrat's Environmental Health Department regularly monitor ash levels both on the ground and in the air. In addition, we have agreed in principle to fund a study by the Institute of Occupational Medicine on the respiratory health and exposure to volcanic dust of Montserratian residents.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent reports she has received of activity levels of the Saufoiere Hills volcano in Montserrat. [108143]
§ Clare ShortWe receive weekly reports from the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. The volcano's new dome began to grow in November 1999 and now has an estimated volume of 16 million cubic metres. The rate of growth is similar to that associated with the 1997 eruption. Resumed magma ascent reinforces the need for sustained and vigilant monitoring. The December 1999 Scientific and Hazards Assessment Report concluded there are no immediate risks outside the Exclusion Zone.