§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government plan in response to the report from the Independent Advisory Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation concerning the incidence of leukaemia among children whose fathers have been exposed to radiation at work. [17891]
§ Ms JowellThe study to consider any possible effects on the health of the offspring of parents occupationally exposed to radiation was funded by the Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive in response to recommendations from the Government's independent advisory Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE). The findings of the study were referred to COMARE and their statement has been placed in the Library. COMARE agree with the authors that there is no evidence of a link between radiation dose in parents prior to conception and the incidence of leukaemia or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in their children. COMARE will reserve further comment until the results of a further study, which is investigating the health of all the children born to workers in a large part of the nuclear industry, is completed. The study is expected to be published early next year.
The Government are committed to investigating the causes of leukaemia and will continue the programme of radiation protection research and seek guidance from COMARE about the direction of any additional future research. They will also continue to require employers to keep radiation exposures as low as reasonably practicable.