§ 44. Mr. Penhaligonasked the hon. Member for Kingswood, as representing the Church Commissioners, what communications have taken place during the past 12 months between the Church Commissioners and English China Clays at St. Austell regarding the safety of the company's employees.
§ Mr. Terry Walker (Second Church Estates Commissioner representing Church Commissioners)Letters were exchanged in March of this year relating to one specific case of an employee who was awarded damages following a claim that he had contracted the chest disease kaolinosis, caused by inhaling clay dust. The Commissioners are satisfied that the company's safety regulations and systems are conscientiously applied and kept under close review in consultation with the unions and the work force.
§ Mr. PenhaligonMany people appreciate the Church Commissioners' interest in the safety of employees. However, will the hon. Gentleman say whether the Church Commissioners looked into the safety record of the company before seeking so much publicity for this case? If they did, what did they find? If they did not, why did they not do so?
§ Mr. WalkerThe Church Commissioners deeply regret that the substance of 672 the recent Church Investors' meeting should have been leaked to the general public. This discussion was agreed among the denominations that were present and considered by all concerned to be informal and confidential. It is in keeping with the Commissioners' declared policy of discussing informally and confidentially with company management ethical and social matters such as this. But certainly we have taken steps to send people down to see the position at first hand, and we are perfectly satisfied with the safety provisions there.