Capper Pass Claims Rio Tinto Plc And Bnfl
EDM number 1443 in 2002-03, proposed by Kevin McNamara on 18/06/2003.
That this House is extremely concerned to learn that British Nuclear Fuels Limited is providing expert support to Rio Tinto plc, the multinational mining conglomerate, to assist it in defending claims arising from the operation of the former Capper Pass Smelting Plant near Hull in East Yorkshire; recalls that over 600 ex-employees and residents have suffered cancer, leukaemia and other serious illnesses, caused by exposure to radioactivity and toxic substances; expresses further concern that Rio Tinto's experts include BNFL's Principal Research Scientist and its former Head of Environmental Protection, formerly Chief Executive of WestLakes Scientific Consulting and currently Principal Consultant, WestLakes Research Institute, set up by BNFL; notes that a third expert advised BNFL in the Sellafield childhood leukaemia cases; concludes that BNFL is determined that the Capper Pass claims should fail, to avoid any finding that environmental and occupational exposure to radioactivity has caused cancer and leukaemia, thereby setting a precedent to be relied upon by Sellafield campaigners on both sides of the Irish Sea; deplores the fact that BNFL's alliance with Rio Tinto, against the Capper Pass families, has created a grossly unequal contest, entailing two Goliaths turning up for the fight with David; and calls upon BNFL and Rio Tinto to desist forthwith from such oppressive bullying tactics.
This motion has been signed by a total of 27 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.
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