Government commissions new mobile phone research
The Government has commissioned further research on the potential risks of mobile phone technology.
The decision follows concerns about the risks to health posed by using mobile phones and the fears voiced by people living near masts.
But, there was no announcement of any tighter planning restrictions, leading the Conservatives to accuse Labour of burying bad news.
Government guidelines state that local people be consulted about where phone masts should be located and new applications are often met with considerable opposition.
“It is important to identify the future direction of mobile phone technology in order to inform policy development and to respond to public interest in this area,” said Planning Minister Yvette Cooper.
A report published in January by the National Radiological Protection Board found that children are particularly at risk from damaging mobile phone emissions.
Author Professor William Stewart called for more research in the area and went so far as to recommend that children under eight do not use mobiles at all.
Conservative local government spokesperson Caroline Spelman said that the Government had tried to slip out bad news by making the announcement late on Monday night when political campaigning was postponed.
She said: “Labour have failed to champion the interests of local residents. They have ignored the feelings of powerlessness and frustration experienced by those living under the threat of badly sited masts. The suspicious timing of this announcement suggests that the Government is back to its old tricks of ‘burying bad news’.
“Only Conservatives have pledged a comprehensive action plan to strengthen planning rules on masts. On issues like monster masts, traveller camps and sprawling housing estates, we will give local people a greater say to help protect their environment.”
