§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what assessments have been made of the environmental hazards of overhead power cables for those who live directly beneath; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryI understand there has been a very small number of cases over many years of overhead line conductors breaking and falling across houses without causing any injury.
Any electrical conductor, whether forming part of an overhead line, underground cable, or the wiring and appliances in the home creates an electric and magnetic field in its vicinity. Some scientists have claimed that these fields affect human health. Research on this has been going on worldwide for over 10 years and to date has not identified any serious risk.
In the United Kingdom a major research programme is continuing which is being funded and carried out by the National Grid Company. previously part of the CEGB, mostly using independent laboratories.