Nuclear Installations (Cancer) (Hansard, 21 June 1985)

§ Mr. Ashdown
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the progress being made in his discussions on the prospective implementation of recommendations numbered 5 to 7 of the report of the advisory group chaired by Sir Douglas Black on the possible increased incidence of cancer in West Cumbria, relating to nuclear installations at Sellafield; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke
; Following on from the discussions to which I referred in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Marland) on 9 May at columns 487–88, the following steps have been taken:

(a) The Government's Chief Medical Officer has set up a working party to consider how best to implement recommendation 5; this includes representatives of the Department of the Environment and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.

(b) The National Radiological Protection Board and clinicians in west Cumbria are collaborating in order to assay directly for levels of actinides.

(c) A whole-body monitoring study is being considered with the Department of the Environment.

(d) The Medical Research Council, which is funded by a grant-in-aid from the Science Vote of the Department of Education and Science, has been asked to advise our Department on what further work is possible.

Progress has been somewhat slower than with commissioning the extended epidemiological studies in recommendations 1 to 4. This is because we are moving into new areas of work which will advance both the collection and use of data and knowledge of the effects of radiation on people.

§ Mr. Ashdown
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list and describe the research projects commissioned to implement the recommendations numbered 1 to 4 of the report of the advisory group chaired by Sir Douglas Black on the possible increased incidence of cancer in West Cumbria, relating to nuclear installations at Sellafield; and if he will estimate the approximate cost and duration of each project.

§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke
The information is in the table.
249W

Black report recommendation Title of project and name of director Description Approximate duration Estimated total cost £

1 Case control study of leukaemia and lymphoma in young people in West Cumbria. Professor M. J. Gardner, MRC Environmental Unit, University of Southampton. Verification of cases of leukaemia and lymphoma diagnosed among under 25 year olds resident in West Cumbria between 1950 and the end of 1984. Identifying appropriately matched controls from the same area, and comparing the characteristics of cases and controls. 18 months from September 1984 41,600

2 and 3 (a) Cohort study of children born to mothers resident in Seascale since 1950. (a) The records of children born to mothers resident in Seascale from 1950 to 1983 will be traced and followed up to establish the incidence of cancer and mortality rate in this cohort. This will provide information on all children born in Seascale whether or not they subsequently moved away. One year from January 1985 15,500

(b) Cohort study of children who have been at school in Seascale. Professor M. J. Gardner, MRC Environmental Unit, University of Southampton. (b) The records of all children who attended the Seascale Local Authority School born from 1950 onwards and all girls who attended the Seascale girls' boarding school from 1951 to 1967 will be traced and followed up to establish the incidence of cancer and mortality rate in these cohorts. This study will enable the disease pattern of the children who were not born in the area but who lived there for several years to be considered.

4 Analysis of cancer incidence in young people in small areas. Dr. A. W. Craft, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle. The purpose of the proposed analysis is to implement Recommendation 4. Three years from May 1985 69,600

Black report recommendation	Title of project and name of director	Description	Approximate duration	Estimated total cost £
1	Case control study of leukaemia and lymphoma in young people in West Cumbria. Professor M. J. Gardner, MRC Environmental Unit, University of Southampton.	Verification of cases of leukaemia and lymphoma diagnosed among under 25 year olds resident in West Cumbria between 1950 and the end of 1984. Identifying appropriately matched controls from the same area, and comparing the characteristics of cases and controls.	18 months from September 1984	41,600
2 and 3	(a) Cohort study of children born to mothers resident in Seascale since 1950.	(a) The records of children born to mothers resident in Seascale from 1950 to 1983 will be traced and followed up to establish the incidence of cancer and mortality rate in this cohort. This will provide information on all children born in Seascale whether or not they subsequently moved away.	One year from January 1985	15,500
	(b) Cohort study of children who have been at school in Seascale. Professor M. J. Gardner, MRC Environmental Unit, University of Southampton.	(b) The records of all children who attended the Seascale Local Authority School born from 1950 onwards and all girls who attended the Seascale girls' boarding school from 1951 to 1967 will be traced and followed up to establish the incidence of cancer and mortality rate in these cohorts. This study will enable the disease pattern of the children who were not born in the area but who lived there for several years to be considered.
4	Analysis of cancer incidence in young people in small areas. Dr. A. W. Craft, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle.	The purpose of the proposed analysis is to implement Recommendation 4.	Three years from May 1985	69,600