Cross-Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and EMF

Welcome to the website of the Cross-Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields (ELF EMF). The five members of the Inquiry are: Dr Howard Stoate MP (Chair), Michael Connarty MP, Dr Ian Gibson MP, Sandra Gidley MP and Nick Hurd MP.

The Inquiry

The Cross Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and EMF was set up to allow the five Members to consider in detail the evidence for an association between Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) from High Voltage Overhead Transmission Lines (HVOTL) and an increased risk of childhood leukaemia and determine what should be done.

The Inquiry held five meetings in Parliament during 2006 and 2007, taking oral and written evidence from a broad range of witnesses. Summaries of these meetings are available on this website.

The Report

Following a year's work, the Inquiry has completed evidence gathering and published the report of its recommendations on 18th July 2007 at a launch in Parliament. Please download a copy of the report here

The Cross-Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and ELF EMF was established at the instigation of the charity CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA. The purpose of the Inquiry was to consider the case for taking precautionary action on EMF exposure. The administration of the Inquiry was supported and funded by CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA although it was in no way subject to any conditions on this basis.

If you require the appendices, please click here.

For more information on the Inquiry please contact the Secretariat to the Inquiry, Catherine Nestor.

Terms of Reference

The Inquiry was asked:

• To consider an overview of the scientific evidence linking extremely low frequency EMF exposure with an increased risk of childhood leukaemia.
• To consider the legal framework related to human proximity to EMF and what the rights and responsibilities of the various stakeholders should be.
• To consider deliberative research exploring public attitudes to precaution in this matter and a quantitative study examining the extent to which these attitudes are held generally.
• To encourage SAGE members to consider public opinion on the subject and how this should inform the actions of Government.
• To make recommendations regarding the appropriateness of precautionary measures in relation to extremely low frequency EMFs and childhood leukaemia to protect the public from EMF exposure and to communicate these widely to Government, parliamentarians, SAGE members and all relevant stakeholders.