HC Deb 26 February 2001 vol 363 cc449-50W
Mr. Todd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been commissioned into the health implications of mobile phone technologies since the publication of the Stewart report. [150178]

Yvette Cooper

The Stewart report on mobile phones and health made a recommendation that a substantial research programme should be set up under the aegis of a demonstrably independent panel and financed by the mobile phone companies and the public sector. This programme, jointly funded by Government and industry, was announced in December 2000 and was launched at a scientific workshop in London on Friday 9 February when the first call for proposals was issued. The research will be undertaken under the direction of an independent programme management committee chaired by Sir William Stewart.

The Department is also continuing to provide financial support for the World Health Organisation International Electromagnetic Fields (IMF) Project which is comprehensively reviewing EMF effects, including those of radio waves.

Ms Glenda Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of mobile telephone masts on elderly people's and children's health; and what plans he has to carry out research on this in the future. [150991]

Yvette Cooper

The Stewart repon on mobile phones and health was published in May 2000 This rigorous and comprehensive assessment of existing research considered the possible effects on health of mobile phones and base stations (masts). The report concluded that the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to health of people living near base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines. However, in view of the concerns expressed by residents near base stations and the indirecr effect on people's wellbeing, the report made a number of recommendations aimed at improving the public consultation and the availability of information about the siting of base stations.

In its summary the Stewart group commented that the upsurge of mobile phone technology should be matched by good quality research. It recommended that a substantial research programme should be set up under the aegis of a demonstrably independent panel and financed by the mobile phone companies and the public sector. This programme, jointly funded by Government and industry, was announced in December 2000 and was launched at a scientific workshop in London on Friday 9 February when the first call for proposals was issued. The research will be undertaken under the direction of an independent programme management committee chaired by Sir William Stewart.