§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment last met to consider allegations of higher than average leukaemia and lymphatic cancer levels among under 25-year-olds living near the atomic weapons research establishment, Aldermaston, and royal ordnance factory, Burghfield; when it will next meet and from which sources it is calling for statistical, epidemiological and other expert research; and how much original research it is carrying out.
§ Mrs. Currie[pursuant to her reply, 16 February 1987, c. 506]: The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMA RE) considered evidence, relating to allegations of a raised cancer incidence around the atomic weapons research establishment, Aldermaston, and royal ordnance factory, Burghfield, at its meetings in September 1986 and December 1986 and will meet next in late March 1987. COMARE is considering all the available information on cancer incidence and mortality and radiation exposure, including the Office or Population, Censuses and Surveys' report on cancer rates in the vicinity of nuclear installations. COMARE does not conduct research itself, but, in the course of its considerations, it identifies areas where further information or research is required. Any recommendations which COMARE makes for further research will be published as part of its report.