§ Mr. Wrayasked the Secretary of State for Energy what consultations he is having with medical experts and others on the health risks affecting people living in areas where nuclear electricity plants operate; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerIn fulfilment of a recommendation of the independent advisory group. which undertook an investigation of the possible increased incidence of cancer in West Cumbria (the Black report, a copy of which is in the Library), the Government established the independent Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) in 1985. Its terms of reference372W are to assess and advise the Government on the health effects of natural and man-made radiation in the environment and assess the adequacy of the available data and the need for further research. My Department maintains a close interest in the work of COMARE.
§ Mr. Wrayasked the Secretary of State for Energy what safeguards he proposes to introduce as regards the further use of nuclear materials by the electricity generation industry, in the event of privatisation of electricity gereration.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerAll nuclear material in civil use is subject to Euratom safeguards and to the terms of the United Kingdom—Euratom—IAEA agreement regardless of whether it is in the private or public sector.