HC Deb 20 November 1957 vol 578 cc372-3
21. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Labour when the Report of the Joint Advisory Committee on Foundry Goggles will be published.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service (Mr. Robert Carr)

It is proposed to publish the Report when research and development work which is now in progress as recommended by the Committee enables us to give more comprehensive and authoritative advice than is at present possible. Meanwhile copies of the Report are being sent to all the organisations interested in this problem.

Mr. Allaun

Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that trade union representatives are concerned and impatient about the delay? Could not the Report be published before Christmas?

Mr. Carr

I can assure the hon. Member that we are anxious to have the Report published, but whereas the Committee came to the general conclusion that plastic was to be preferred to glass for these protective goggles, further research work is required for specific advice to be given about the form of plastic. Before we publish a final Report we want to be able to have that specific advice.