The Third Meeting

The third meeting of the Cross-Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and ELF EMF took place on Wednesday 14 June. Michael Connarty, Sandra Gidley, Dr Ian Gibson and Dr Howard Stoate (Chair) were present. Nick Hurd was present for the second half of the meeting. Mark Challis and Sarah Wotton of Bircham Dyson Bell (Solicitors and Parliamentary Agents), Brenda Short (Lecturer in environmental law, SAGE member and legal advisor to Powerwatch) and Dermot Finnigan (an individual whose house has been affected by pylons) all gave evidence to the Inquiry.

Also in attendance were, Chantelle Roberts and (all from CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA). There were two observers, Mike Hale (CLC) and the wife of Dermot Finnigan (who gave evidence to the Inquiry).

The members of the Inquiry were presented with a summary of the legal and planning issues surrounding the construction of and consents for power lines and substations by Mark Challis and an overview of case law on EMF and the possibility of redress under current human rights and civil liability legislation and the precautionary principle by Sarah Wotton. All of the information presented came from their report, commissioned by CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA, 'Electric and Magnetic Fields and Public Health: Legal requirements, responsibilities and shortcomings' .

The Inquiry also heard evidence from Brenda Short, who gave a summary of her assessment of the areas of law which could be used to challenge the siting of power lines and sub stations next to housing.

Dermot Finnigan gave a presentation to the Inquiry about his experience of living close to High Voltage Overhead Transmission Lines.

The Inquiry also noted that in response to earlier questions members had asked about the value of houses near power lines, written evidence had been received from the National Association of Estate Agents, Barratt Homes, Countrywide Surveyors and George Wimpey UK Ltd.