HC Deb 14 June 1965 vol 714 cc14-5
14. Dr. Summerskill

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to prevent cancer being caused by possible carcinogens used in industry.

Mr. Thornton

There are a variety of cancer risks in industry, each of which presents special problems. The main lines of action by our Department are: to prohibit the use of carcinogenic substances, where that is necessary; to require control of their use and the medical screening of the workers concerned, where that provides adequate safeguards; to ensure that arrangements are made in the appropriate cases for the continued medical supervision of former employees; and to co-operate with the qualified research agencies, particularly by carrying out investigations and surveys.

This matter was discussed by my right hon. Friend's Industrial Health Advisory Committee at its meeting in May, and it was decided to set up a Sub-Committee, representative of employers and trade unions, to give advice as to further action on these lines.

Dr. Summerskill

Would my hon. Friend not agree that frequent medical examination of workers at risk serves only to diagnose cancer and not to prevent it occurring? While I welcome the measures he is taking, will he concentrate his researches into the cause of cancer, into the potential hazards of carcinogenic substances used in industry, particularly in the newer industries?

Mr. Thornton

We shall certainly do that with all possible expedition. I know that my hon. Friend takes a deep interest in and has a deep knowledge of this problem. She may rest assured that my right hon. Friend and I have it very much in mind. In my own long industrial experience I have had personal knowledge of cancer resulting from these hazards.

Mr. Lubbock

Does the hon. Gentleman recall that on 5th February the Minister told me representations had been received from interested parties on the Carcinogenic Substances Prohibition Regulations, particulars of which had been circulated at that time? Has he yet come to any conclusion about whether it would be desirable to add alpha naphthalene to the list of prohibited substances in those regulations? Would he also say whether his right hon. Friend will now agree to add primary neoplasms of the epithelial linings of the urinary tracts to the list of notifiable industrial diseases, as he promised to give consideration to this?

Mr. Thornton

I am afraid that the hon. Member is in front of me with the names of these substances. We will certainly give consideration to them, and I will draw my right hon. Friend's attention to them. As a result of the expert comments made on the first circulation of the preliminary draft, there has been substantial tidying up in the draft regulations.