§ 3.19 p.m.
§ Lord HALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government to what extent recent investigations into the manufacturing use of crushed fibre glass has connected it with mesothelioma.
§ Lord JACQUESMy Lords, no connection has yet been established between the manufacture and use of fibre glass and the development of mesothelioma.
§ Lord HALEMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that although I am very glad to have that Answer, the Question has nothing to do with the fibre glass industry but with the use of minutely crushed fibre glass in the process of the making of textiles? Is the noble Lord further aware that when, according to a recent article in the New Scientist, the fire brigades association decided to dispense 1441 with the use of asbestos wholly in connection with protective clothing for firemen they selected the crushed fibre glass textile as the most heat resistant? Also is the noble Lord aware that they were advised that this should not be used until the possible long-term health hazards from inhaled glass fibres, which were now under expert investigation, had been discovered; and has he any knowledge in connection with that?
§ Lord JACQUESMy Lords, research work is being done in a number of ways. The International Association of the man-made fibre industry has established a registered charity in the United Kingdom to fund research into the hazards of man-made mineral fibres. A Joint European Medical Research Board has been established to give overall guidance in this research project which is co-ordinated by the WHO International Agency for research into cancer. Members of the Health and Safety Executive have attended a number of meetings connected with their research into mineral fibres and what I have mentioned is merely a sample from the list I have here. But I think my noble friend will be particularly interested to know that at the present time employers and the trade unions are negotiating interim standards, in which they have the assistance of the Health and Safety Executive.
§ Lord AVEBURYMy Lords, is the Minister aware that the Central Electricity Generating Board, although not obliged to do so under the Asbestos Regulations 1969, has applied those regulations to the use of fibres other than asbestos which are used in substitution for it for insulation purposes? This is possibly a very wise precaution for them to have taken, pending clarification of the possible hazards of these alternative fibres. Will he therefore agree that it is essential that the Simpson Committee should get on with their task of looking into the safety of these alternative materials and producing authoritative reports as soon as possible for the guidance of both employers and trade unions?
§ Lord JACQUESMy Lords, so far as the Central Electricity Generating Board is concerned, I am aware of the fact mentioned by the noble Lord. Secondly, the standard which has been accepted by 1442 the Board has in fact entered into the negotiations between the employers and the trade unions. As to the Simpson Committee, I will pass on the noble Lord's comments to my right honourable friend.
Baroness VICKERSMy Lords, in view of the fact that these workers are working with unknown quantities of these materials, are they, as regards health and safety, subject to the same restrictions as those working with asbestos?
§ Lord JACQUESNo, my Lords, they are not subject to the same restrictions because they are not subject to the 1969 Asbestos Regulations.