HEALTH CONCERNS AND SITING OF TELECOMMUNICATION MASTS

Early day motion 489, tabled 25 March 1999 by Joan Walley (Labour). Signed by 69 members.

That this House recognises the expansion of the telecommunications industry; considers that technological change is outpacing the current regulatory planning framework; further notes that the precautionary approach to decision-making adopted in the Maastricht Treaty was ratified more recently than recent telecommunications legislation or the last full DETR revision of planning policy guidance; acknowledges the growing concerns of a number of local communities on aesthetic and public health grounds, which include concern over possible links to short-term memory loss, and other illness from the siting of masts on sites and buildings which include school premises; notes the views expressed in the Irish Government's conference in Dublin on 6th March 1999; is mindful of further EU and WHO research not due to be reported until the next century; calls for a more precautionary approach to the siting of masts and for further research into low-energy electromagnetic fields; and calls on the DTI and DETR to investigate and take account of these concerns and to consider further what environmental action and guidance to local planning authorities is needed.

Signatures by party: Labour 45, Liberal Democrat 15, Labour/Co-operative 3, Conservative 2, Scottish National Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Unknown 1.