The Second Meeting

The second meeting of the Parliamentary Commission on Childhood Leukaemia and EMF took place on Monday 15 May. Michael Connarty, Sandra Gidley, Dr Ian Gibson and Dr Howard Stoate (Chair) were present. Apologies were received from Nick Hurd who was unable to attend. Dr Adrienne Morgan (Staff Scientist at CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA) gave evidence to the Commission.

Also in attendance were Edward Copisarow (Chief Executive of CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA), Baroness Morgan of Drefelin (a trustee of CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA), Chantelle Roberts (CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA) and five observers - Professor Tony Barker (Chairman of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Biological Effects Policy Advisory Group on Low-Level Electromagnetic Fields), Roger Coghill (Director of Coghill Research Laboratories), Maureen Asbury (Trentham Environmental Action Campaign), Mike Hale (CLC) and Jane Smith (National Grid).

The Commission considered the scientific evidence presented by Dr Adrienne Morgan from the report she co-wrote with Katie Morgan (CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA) “Do electric and magnetic fields cause childhood leukaemia? A review of the scientific evidence” (click here to download) and asked questions.

Howard Stoate thanked Professor Barker for sending the Commissioners copies of the newly issued IET position statement on low level electromagnetic fields and health and invited him to comment on the presentation. Professor Barker explained that he had attended only as an observer but offered the full assistance of the IET Biological Effects Policy Advisory Group on Low-Level Electromagnetic Fields to the Commission for a subsequent meeting. Roger Coghill did accept the Commission’s invitation to comment on the evidence being considered.