§ 27. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Labour what Regulations have been issued for the protection of personnel in research stations and industrial establishments when such personnel are exposed to contamination by radio isotopes.
§ Mr. CarrAs regards industrial establishments, which come under the Factories Acts, the Luminising Regulations were made in 1947 and work is proceeding on two further sets of Regulations on the lines indicated in the reply to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 31st October last. Research establishments do not in general come under the Factories Acts, but it has been decided that the safety and health of workers in such establishments using ionising radiations, other than hospital research establishments, should be the concern of my right hon. Friend and he is in consultation with the Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee.
§ Mr. JannerWhilst thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if he will ensure that the fullest precautions are taken to see that the Regulations are put into effect and that proper examination will take place in these establishments in consequence of the particularly dangerous position in which these people are placed?
§ Mr. CarrI hope the hon. Member will realise from what I said that, these research establishments not coming under the Factories Acts, the Regulations need not necessarily apply to them; but we have already been in consultation with Sir Charles Darwin, Chairman of the Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee, and we are conscious that this is a serious matter. When we have found the facts we shall make appropriate arrangements.