HC Deb 23 January 1984 vol 52 cc389-90W
Mr. Sedgemore

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. has carried out studies of cancer incidence amongst its work force at Sellafield as compared with the general population other than mortality incidence studies;

(2) what evidence exists to compare the incidence of cancers amongst radiation workers or former radiation workers as opposed to non-radiation workers at Sellafield with the incidence of cancer in the general population; and what conclusions he draws;

(3) if the study by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. on the mortality incidence from cancer 1948 to 1980 includes females; if the study gave the ages of those with cancer, their dose rate and the amount of time worked for the company; and if he will make a statement;

(4) how many of the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. work force, past or present, who are currently alive, are known to be suffering from multiple myeloma;

(5) what studies have been carried out at Sellafield of the incidence of types of cancer, including the 19 radio-sensitive types of cancer recognised by the International Commission on Radiological Protection; what comparison can be made with the incidence of each type of cancer in the general population; and if these studies are mortality incidence studies;

(6) if the recommendation contained in the report of the Windscale inquiry by Mr. Justice Parker in 1977 that an independent expert be called to analyse the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. health statistics has been carried out; which expert was selected; when the first statistics were provided for analysis; and whether the report will be published;

(7) what was the nature of the studies relating to cancer incidence in workers at Sellafield carried out by British Nuclear Fuels and referred to in a letter of 23 December 1983 from the Under-Secretary of State at his Department to the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch; when these studies were carried out; and if these studies included a study of cancer incidence amongst the existing work force.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Much of the information sought: by the hon. Member is contained in technical papers which have been published at international conferences or in appropriate journals and in public statements by BNFL. Sir Douglas Black's inquiry will also be considering the data compiled by BNFL from amongst its work forces as part of the evidence submitted for analysis in respect of the inquiry into the published claims of an increase of cancer in the vicinity of Sellafield. I have asked the chairman of BNFL to give the hon. Member the information he requires. Copies of his answer will be placed in the Library of the House.