§ 29. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made by the Medical Research Council in its experiments into the effect of engine exhaust fumes on people in built-up areas; in what towns this has taken place; and what work has been carried out in taking blood estimations of persons exposed to vehicle fumes for long periods.
30. Mr. G. Wilsonasked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what are the results and findings of the most recent investigations of the Statistical Research Unit of the Medical Research Council into the effect of diesel fumes on lung cancer.
§ Mr. TurtonThe Medical Research Council is continuing its investigations of the effect of atmospheric pollution, including that from vehicle exhaust fumes, on health. These investigations are being undertaken mainly in London, but also in other cities, including Birmingham, Manchester and Sheffield. Tests of the amount of carbon monoxide in the blood were recently carried out on a number of men exposed to vehicle exhaust fumes in city streets; the amounts found to be present were below the level regarded as dangerous.
§ Mr. DoddsCan the Minister say whether any facts have yet been brought out about the dangers from the exhausts of diesel engines?
§ Mr. TurtonNothing has yet been established on that point.
Mr. WilsonCan my right hon. Friend reconcile his answer with the letter of 12th December from Dr. Doll, a copy of which I sent him, one paragraph of which reads:
On more general grounds, one can be fairly confident that the recent great increase in mortality from lung cancer has not been due to diesel fumes, since the increase in lung cancer has been almost contemporaneous with the increase in the use of diesel engines…"?
§ Mr. TurtonDr. Doll is a member of a research unit of the Medical Research Council and is an accepted authority on this subject. His opinion, however, has not yet been officially accepted.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill the right hon. Gentleman encourage further investigation into the subject in view of the general public anxiety about it? Can he also give some advice to the Minister of Housing and Local Government in view of the passage of the Clean Air Bill? Also, might I invite the right hon. Gentleman to the next sitting of the Standing Committee dealing with the Clean Air Bill?
§ Mr. TurtonThe investigations are proceeding. It is a matter of very great importance, but there are a number of other factors which, equally, are carcinogenic.