HL Deb 28 June 1999 vol 603 cc10-1WA
Viscount Exmouth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 3 November 1998 (WA 41–42) and in the light of the further recent medical reports suggesting that users of mobile telephones are more likely to suffer from cerebral tumours than those who do not, whether they will legislate or issue regulations to ensure that:

  1. (a) all such devices be issued with an appropriate cautionary health warning; and
  2. (b) manufacturers of mobile telephones should clearly publish relevant information such as radiation output figures, the number of watts per kgm or similar data. [HL2697]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)

Mobile phones in use in the UK should comply with the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) Guidelines for restricting human exposure to electromagnetic fields. The NRPB provide advice and continue to review the published scientific evidence. They advise that there is no convincing scientific evidence of harmful effects at levels of exposure that meet the guidelines. All measurements that have been taken demonstrates that mobile phones give rise to exposures that are well within the guidelines. The Government have therefore no plans to introduce new legislation or regulation in this area. The latest NRPB information, which includes comments on a recent study of tumours, is available on their web site (http://www.nrpb.org.uk).

However, the Government are aware of continuing public concern about the possibility of harmful effects from mobile phones. On 8 April the Minister for Public Health Tessa Jowell announced the setting up of an independent expert working group to assess the current state of research into mobile phones.

Provision of more detailed information for consumers about compliance with the guidelines would have to be carefully examined to ensure that it would be meaningful to the general consumer, would avoid unnecessary confusion, and could be verified.

We will, nevertheless, discuss with the mobile industry what further helpful information can be provided to the users of mobile phones.