§ 29. Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when an assessment will be made of the effect of the new interim dust standard introduced into National Coal Board mines on 1st April, 1970, together with the new method of dust sampling based on the weight of respirable dust in mine 26 atmospheres; and if he will publish a report.
§ Sir J. EdenThe National Joint Pneumoconiosis Committee has agreed to carry out a review of the new interim dust standards after two years of full operation. It will, no doubt, consider whether a published report is desirable.
§ Mr. DormandI am grateful for that information. Would the Minister accept that those of us who represent mining constituencies believe that there has been substantial and valuable progress on this matter in recent years? But is he aware that there are no grounds for complacency is seeking to eliminate the dreadful disease pneumoconiosis? Would he ensure that all the resources requested will be made available to the various agencies which are doing research on it?
§ Sir J. EdenI am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's question, and I can assure him that there is absolutely no question of anybody being complacent about this. These are the new standards and we want to see how they are working out in practice. The matter is being kept under careful review.