HC Deb 16 April 1964 vol 693 cc589-90
Q2. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a Secretary for Occupational Health to be in charge of a new Government department which will incorporate the work in this field at present undertaken by the Ministers of Labour and of Health and the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

Mr. Pavitt

Is the Prime Minister aware that last year we lost 271, million working days through mental illness alone and a further 31 million days through stress and circulatory diseases? In these circumstances, is it not about time that the Government took some initiative, if not on these lines? Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate that the Government will do something to implement the Convention which they accepted in 1959 and put forward by the that an occupational health service should be established?

The Prime Minister

We try to do this, as the hon. Member knows, through legislation. We try to meet the basic requirements. The Factories Acts and regulations require medical examination of young workers in factories. I think that the hon. Member knows that. My right hon. Friend is going to discuss the whole matter with the Industrial Health Advisory Committee on 12th May. I see exactly what the hon. Member has asked and I have a good deal of sympathy with him, but I think that on the whole our existing practices deal with the situation reasonably well.

Mr. Pavitt

In view of the fact that we are losing for every one day of strikes about 55 days from illness in industry, would it not be a good idea if the right hon. Gentleman had consultations with the people concerned in the three Departments, and particularly those doing excellent work in the Ministry of Labour, to get some kind of coordination and to take some initiative?

The Prime Minister

Of course, we will have consultations. My right hon. Friend is going to deal with this matter in the Industrial Health Advisory Committee. If the hon. Member has any particular suggestions to make I shall be glad to hear them. I am in some sympathy with his question.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Brockwey.

Mr. Brockway

May I put another supplementary question—

Mr. Speaker

Frankly, I was having regard to the next Question.