HC Deb 28 November 1950 vol 481 cc925-6
18. Mr. Monslow

asked the Minister of Labour what are the prospects of the implementation of the Garrett Report in connection with foundry workers.

Mr. Isaacs

Progress in this direction continues, but many of the recommendations are of a long-term nature. I am sending my hon. Friend a more detailed statement by letter.

19. Mr. Monslow

asked the Minister of Labour if in view of the information available in the publications by his Department of summaries of reports and medical papers on industrial lung diseases in the past 15 or 20 years, he will see his way to facilitate a cheaper edition so that fettlers and moulders in foundries who are now recognised as running a graver industrial risk than was first conceded, could have protective knowledge easily passed on to them.

Mr. Isaacs

While I doubt whether a summary of the scientific information as to degrees of risk met with by workers in dusty occupations would give them any valuable knowledge of practical protective measures, I will consider whether it is possible to do anything in the way suggested by my hon. Friend.

Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the McLaughlin Report, which has long been awaited by foundry workers—it has just been issued—and contains information of the greatest importance to them, costs 21s.? That is a case where some of the points might well be published in a cheaper form.

Mr. Isaacs

That is a rather broader question than that which my hon. Friend the Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Monslow) asked. I will see whether it can be simplified somehow.