HC Deb 31 March 1953 vol 513 cc1011-2
11. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has noted that about half the number of men employed in chipping, riveting, stamping, plating and heading become deafened to speech at more than three feet after 20 years' exposure to the noise created at their work; and what steps are being taken to protect them from this type of deafness.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Harold Watkinson)

My Department is aware of the recent report of a committee of the Medical Research Council on the medical and surgical problems of deafness and that exposure over many years to noise above certain intensities may cause deterioration in hearing. Much research is being carried out into this question and, as announced by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works on 24th March, a committee has been set up jointly by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Medical Research Council which will consider, among other things, the effect of noise in relation to human efficiency.

The harmful effects of noise on the individual can be reduced to some extent by the wearing of protective ear coverings and by eliminating injurious noise at its source by improved designs of machines and their mountings and the sound insulation of walls and ceilings; but the subject has been found to bristle with practical difficulties.

Dr. Stross

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that protective ear coverings appear to be very much in their infancy and that there is not a satisfactory type available? Could he tell me if specific research is to be conducted into finding the right type of protective ear covering for these men?

Mr. Watkinson

Yes, that is so.