What measures it intends to take to address public concern over the potential health risks in relation to mobile telephone telecommunicatio…

I am aware of current concerns about possible risks to health from mobile telephone telecommunication masts and the Executive will shortly be writing to all Members of the Scottish Parliament setting out in detail our position on this issue. Meanwhile, advice from the National Radiological Protection Board, which advises the Executive on matters of this kind, indicates that the field strengths of signals from mobile telephone masts at places to which the public have access are below recommended guideline levels and should present no health risk. The Board's advice is based on its own research and on assessments, by its Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation, of biological and epidemiological work world-wide. As a further measure, the Board have also been asked to set up an independent expert group to assess the current state of research into any health risks associated with the use of mobile phones and telephone communication masts. The group will be chaired by Sir William Stewart FRS FRSE and its detailed membership and terms of reference will be announced shortly.