§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the study taking place in the Sellafield area in respect of cases of childhood leukaemia, sewage outlets and a virus. [26697]
§ Mr. HoramNo study is being carried out nor is one planned. At present, there are no data to link childhood leukaemia with viral infection or still less with any virus that would normally be present in sewage.
In its recent report, published on 27 March 1996, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment recommended that the United Kingdom childhood cancer study, which is a national study testing both radiation and non-radiation hypotheses regarding the aetiology of childhood cancer and leukaemia, should be supported to completion.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in which locations childhood leukaemia has been linked to(a) sewage outlets and (b) viruses; and if he will make a statement. [26698]
§ Mr. HoramThere is no evidence to link childhood leukaemia with any virus that would normally be present in sewage, or with any other viral infection.