§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether Her Majesty's Government are carrying out, or intend to carry out, any investigations into the incidence of childhood cancers in the areas around (a) Aldermaston and (b) Burghfield.
§ Mr. Hayhoe[pursuant to his reply, 9 December 1985,c. 495]: I am advised that there is no established connection between nuclear plants and the incidence of cancers in the surrounding population. Regular monitoring is carried out on environmental levels of radiation in the vicinity of nuclear establishments. There are a number of 767W detailed studies currently in progress into the incidence of cancers in the United Kingdom. These include studies of areas both around and remote from nuclear establishments. The results of these will be considered by the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment as they become available.
In the meantime COMARE will consider any other relevant information put to it relating to the incidence of childhood cancers in the areas around Aldermaston and Burghfield. The establishment of COMARE was announced by my right hon. and learned Friend on 25 July at column 771 with the objective of offering Government independent medical and scientific advice on the health effects of natural and man-made radiation in the environment.