§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made on research into reducing the toxicity of solvents, including adhesives, to ensure the safety and health of personnel and others in contact with these substances.
§ Mr. John GrantI am informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Health and Safety Executive is not aware of any Government-sponsored research on the reduction of toxicity of solvents including adhesives in relation to occupational exposure.
Under Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, there is a continuing general obligation on manufacturers, importers and suppliers of substances—which would include solvents and adhesives—to carry out, or to arrange for the carrying out of, any research necessary to ensure the health and safety of people at work. Since there is no obligation to register such research, it is not possible for the Health and Safety Executive to be aware of the current state of research in every single instance. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, I shall ask the Health and Safety Executive to look into it.
38WAs for possible consumer protection aspects, this is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Consumer Protection, who will be writing to my hon. Friend.