HC Deb 08 May 1956 vol 552 cc990-1
13. Sir I. Horobin

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the recent medical and technological research into the question of byssinosis, particularly the dust extraction appliance devised by the Shirley Research Institute now on test at the Monarch Mill, Oldham; and what action he is proposing to take.

Mr. Carr

Yes, Sir. My Department has been in the closest touch with these developments since their inception. Neither the medical nor the technological research is completed. As regards the former, work is proceeding on lines which were noted at the meeting of the Industrial Health Advisory Committee last month. As regards the latter, latest reports show that the dust extraction appliance to which my hon. Friend refers represents a great advance in this field and my Department is associating itself with this work by making further detailed dust estimations. The Joint Advisory Committee set up by the Chief Inspector of Factories on the conditions of work in the cotton trade is following the subject closely.

Sir I. Horobin

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he does not agree that there is already no serious doubt that this device is a great advance on anything that we have had before in preventing this distressing industrial disease? In view of that, can my hon. Friend assure the House that no time will be lost in taking the necessary steps to ensure that its use is as widely spread as possible in industry at the earliest possible date?

Mr. Carr

We certainly agree that the tests appeared to show that this new apparatus is giving extremely good results. There are, however, two other appliances, based on different principles, which have recently been devised. The value of these has still to be determined. The Government are arranging to conduct detailed tests in order to compile records to compare the three methods, but I can assure my hon. Friend that we are aware of the seriousness of the problem and that no time will be lost in making progress.

Mr. T. Brown

Will the hon. Gentleman call the attention of managements and inspectors of factories to these appliances and recommend that wherever there is excessive dust they should be installed?

Mr. Carr

I will certainly see that they know of it, though I am sure that they do so already, because it is the Factory Department of my Ministry that is particularly looking after and examining these latest developments.