HC Deb 30 November 1987 vol 123 cc442-3W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence is available to his Department of higher rates of leukaemia around his Department's establishment at Burghfield, Berkshire; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

Evidence on leukaemia rates in the area including the Ministry of Defence atomic weapons establishment at Burghfield is to be found in the following publications:

  1. (a)'Childhood leukaemia in West Berkshire' (Barton et al, Lancet November 1985);
  2. (b)'Leukaemia and lymphatic cancer in young people near nuclear installations' (Urquhart et al, Lancet February 1986):
  3. (c)'Childhood leukaemia in the West Berkshire and Basingstoke & North Hampshire District Health 443 Authorities in relation to nuclear establishments in the vicinity' (Roman et al, British Medical Journal, March 1987);
  4. (d) 'Cancer incidence and mortality in the vicinity of nuclear installations, England and Wales 1959–80' (OPCS, 1987).

This evidence, together with other epidemiological and dosimetric information, is currently being considered by the independent Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment.

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