§ 4. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made by the Advisory Panel of the Senior Medical Inspector of Factories on bladder cancer, and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. R. J. Gunter)The Senior Medical Inspector's Advisory Panel on Occupational Cancer 3 of the Renal Tract provides him with expert knowledge and advice on a continuing basis. I understand that it has been of great assistance to him, particularly in connection with a long-term survey which the Department is preparing to carry out in the rubber and cable-making industries to determine whether there is still an unidentified cancer hazard now that the use of the known carcinogens has been discontinued.
§ Mrs. Joyce ButlerIs my right hon. Friend aware that: there is great disappointment that the Medical Research Council has declined to carry out a comprehensive survey of this very worrying subject, not only in the cable and rubber industries but also in the dyestuffs industry and among workers employed on cured rubber, where the dangers of antioxidants are thought to be responsible for bladder cancer? Is he aware that this delay is very disappointing, and that we want urgent action on it?
§ Mr. GunterWe are fully seized of the urgency of the matter, and we are aware of the disappointment that my hon. Friend has expressed, but I would assure her that my staff are doing all that it can and as quickly as it can.