MP BLASTS INACTION OVER PHONE MASTS
Gloucester Citizen
06 July 2005
Mps yesterday rounded on the Government, accusing ministers of inaction over mobile phone masts, as an increasing number of communities rebelled against applications. About 15 MPs turned up at a debate in Westminster Hall to highlight the mounting frustration in their constituencies over masts, which they fear are a health hazard.
The debate was led by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Tory MP for the Cotswolds, who called for a shake-up of the planning regime to impose more controls on phone operators.
"It is deeply ironic that mobile phones, created to allow a connection and conversations between those separated by distance, have only proven just how distant this Government is, and incapable of listening even to the most persistent interlocutors," he said.
"Each time the Government has gone through the motions of listening to the public's concerns, it quickly becomes apparent that really no action has been taken at all."
Mr Clifton-Brown said, after the Stewart report in 2000 that recommended a "precautionary approach" to mobile phone technology, ministers promised to hold consultation exercises.
"However, it seems clear to me that this obese Government hasn't taken enough exercise and must now be shown how to get mobile phone masts planning regulations back into shape."
06 July 2005
Mps yesterday rounded on the Government, accusing ministers of inaction over mobile phone masts, as an increasing number of communities rebelled against applications. About 15 MPs turned up at a debate in Westminster Hall to highlight the mounting frustration in their constituencies over masts, which they fear are a health hazard.
The debate was led by Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Tory MP for the Cotswolds, who called for a shake-up of the planning regime to impose more controls on phone operators.
"It is deeply ironic that mobile phones, created to allow a connection and conversations between those separated by distance, have only proven just how distant this Government is, and incapable of listening even to the most persistent interlocutors," he said.
"Each time the Government has gone through the motions of listening to the public's concerns, it quickly becomes apparent that really no action has been taken at all."
Mr Clifton-Brown said, after the Stewart report in 2000 that recommended a "precautionary approach" to mobile phone technology, ministers promised to hold consultation exercises.
"However, it seems clear to me that this obese Government hasn't taken enough exercise and must now be shown how to get mobile phone masts planning regulations back into shape."
Starmail - 7. Jul, 10:45
