§ 65. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the prevalence of silicosis among the slate quarrymen in North Wales; whether any of the existing silicosis schemes apply to that industry; and, if not, whether any steps are being taken to bring the industry within the orbit of the silicosis schemes?
§ Mr. LloydAn expert medical inquiry carried out a few years ago revealed no evidence of silicosis amongst slate quarrymen, but my right hon. Friend is aware that there is some evidence pointing to the occurrence of silicosis amongst slate miners working underground in the Festiniog area. The Various Industries Scheme applies to drilling and blasting in silica rock in or incidental to the mining or quarrying of other minerals but none of the schemes applies in terms to the mining or quarrying of slate. My right hon. Friend will be glad to confer further with the hon. Member on this matter.