EVERY Ryedale district councillor will have a say on the proposed investigation of possible cancer clusters around RAF Fylingdales.

Members of the council's community services and licensing committee last night agreed that all its councillors should examine recommendations made by the North Yorkshire Moors National Park Authority in relation to the effects of radiation on the health of those living near the early warning radar station.

The committee was asked to consider endorsing the monitoring of the radio frequency environment around Fylingdales by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), with particular attention to inhabited and popular visitor spots, and making the results public.

This was recommended to be carried out at regular intervals agreed by the Health Protection Agency (National Radiological Protection Board).

Members were also asked to agree that the monitoring be done by independent consultants agreed by the National Park authority and paid for by the MoD.

The authority also asked the councillors to accept the recommendation that close attention should be paid by the Government to the study of possible cancer clusters near a similar early warning station in Cape Cod, America.

"I feel that we as a committee should not be discussing this," said chairwoman Coun Elizabeth Shields.

"I don't feel think that I can make a comment on this. I need more time to consider it. I don't feel that we are in a position to give a recommendation. I propose that members insist that the full council consider endorsing the recommendations of the North Yorkshire County Council."

Updated: 11:11 Friday, October 03, 2003