Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will undertake an investigation into the level of respiratory problems of the people in the village of Kirkhamgate, west Yorkshire, brought about in the area by opencast operations;
(2) how many children and adults in the village of Kirkhamgate, west Yorkshire are suffering respiratory problems following the opencast coal mining operations in the area; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleInformation concerning people with respiratory problems in Kirkhamgate are not collected centrally. The district health authority is not aware of any respiratory problems associated with the small opencast mine nearby.
417WIt is not clear what role current levels of air pollutants may play in the occurrence of respiratory complaints. I am advised, however, that there is no evidence to suggest that surface mineral working causes any detrimental health effects on local communities. Further research needs in the general area of the effects of air pollutants upon health is being considered by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants which was set up by the Department this year.