In April 1999 the Minister for Public Health, at the Department of Health (DH) announced that she had requested the Chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), Sir Walter Bodmer, to set up an Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP). This request was backed by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ministers.
The appointment of the Chairman of IEGMP, Sir William Stewart, FRS, FRSE, was announced in June 1999. The terms of reference and nine members were subsequently announced in August.The terms of reference of the Expert Group were:
To consider present concerns about the possible health effects from the use of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters, to conduct a rigorous assessment of existing research and to give advice based on the present state of knowledge. To make recommendations on further work that should be carried out to improve the basis for sound advice.
The first formal meeting of the Expert Group was held in September when working arrangements and the overall structure of the report were considered. The Expert Group agreed to meet monthly, to seek views widely and to have open meetings around the country.
The Expert Group completed work on its report in April. Its report on Mobile Phones and Health was submitted to the Minister for Public Health, Yvette Cooper, and published on 11 May 2000.