§ Dr. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to publish the report of Sir Douglas Black's inquiry into the possible increased incidence of cancer in West Cumbria.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeSir Douglas Black's report is being published today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House and are available from the Vote Office. I am most grateful to Sir Douglas and the members of his advisory group for undertaking this complex inquiry and completing the work so expeditiously.
The report examines the evidence of childhood leukemia and other cancers in Seascale, the village nearest to Sellafield, in considerable detail. The results suggest there is an increased incidence of leukaemia among young people in Seascale but the findings are based on a small number of cases. The incidence of leukaemia in the village is described as "unusual but not unique". However, for West Cumbria as a whole, mortality for childhood cancers is near to the national average, particularly for cancers other than leukaemia. No evidence was found of any general risk to health for children or adults living near to Sellafield when compared to the rest of Cumbria. The advisory group gives "a qualified reassurance" to people concerned about a possible health hazard in the neighbourhood.
The group tries to reach a conclusion on the suggestions that an increased level of radioactivity in the neighbourhood of Sellafield has caused an above average experience of leukaemia. They say it is possible but by no means proven. Their report considers the evidence about radiation doses to young people in Seascale over the years and concludes that the calculated dosages do not support the view that radiation from Sellafield was responsible for the observed incidence of leukaemia there. However, the report stresses the unavoidable uncertainties in estimating the doses actually received by the young people. The proposition cannot therefore be completely discounted but it is difficult to see what scientific evidence would suffice to do so.
The advisory group has made a number of recommendations about further research and monitoring, work on the health implications of radioactive discharges and the control of discharges from Sellafield. The Government accept every one of these recommendations. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister of Agriculture are already considering the proposals on discharges and some measures have now been taken by British Nuclear Fuels plc.
I accept the need for some further health studies in West Cumbria and action on these is in hand. We are considering how best to implement the group's recommendations about monitoring of dose measurements at the national level and we will commission further research on health aspects of radiation as suggested. I am sure that when action has been taken in line with all Sir Douglas' recommendations, the uncertainties can be reduced still further.