§ 3. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Labour what was the toal number of days lost at work in shops and offices through tuberculosis and bronchitis from 1960 up to the latest convenient date; and what was the total number of fatal accidents in shops and offices for the same period.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Alan Green)I regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. SpriggsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I, too, regret that he has not taken sufficient interest to find out what these figures are? Is he aware that the largest trade unions catering for this type 4 of worker, the U.S.D.A.W., the Municipal and General Workers' Union, the Transport and General Workers' Union, the association of shipbuilding, engineering and draughtsmen trades unions and so on, are concerned about the health, safety and welfare of their workers? Will the Parliamentary Secretary take the initiative to do something about this, because the Government made what appeared to be a sincere promise to bring in new legislation to cover these points?
§ Mr. GreenWith respect, I think that most of that supplementary question did not arise from the information requested in the original Question. But, as the hon. Gentleman knows, a Bill to deal with safety, health and welfare in offices is promised for next Session, and I recommend that the hon. Gentleman should wait until that Bill arrives.