§ 29 and 30. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he will give consideration to the need for a survey of the health hazards of pottery workers in Stoke-on-Trent, as part of the pilot schemes envisaged under the Industrial 2516 Health Service; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) whether in accordance with his usual practice, he will propose to the Pottery Workers' Society of Great Britain and to the Pottery Manufacturers Federation, that a joint standing committee be set up, which shall advise the Minister on the implementation of the Factory Acts and Regulations which affect the safety and health of the operatives.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI have decided, with the advice of the Industrial Health Advisory Committee, to carry out a pilot industrial health survey of the pottery industry. The survey will enable me to examine, in consultation with the industry, the considerable progress which has been made in countering health hazards and will assist in determining the need for further measures. It will also provide data concerning methods of procedure which should be useful in planning any further surveys.
I wish to emphasise that the pottery industry has been selected for this first pilot survey because it offers the best scope for a quick and informative examination of conditions from the standpoint of health and not because there is an outstanding need on health grounds for a survey of that industry.
§ Dr. StrossIs the Minister aware that his Answer will give great satisfaction to both employers and workers in north Staffordshire, that we accept quite fully the latter part of his statement that there has been a very real advance in the health protection of the workers in the past twenty years, and that we expect further benefit from this?