§ Mr. Terry Davisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Government intend to sign the International Labour Organisation convention 139 concerning the prevention and control of occupational hazards caused by carcinogenic substances and agents.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Manchester, 105W Openshaw (Mr. Morris) on 16 January 1981—[Vol. 996, c. 663]—where it was stated that work is proceeding on the preparation of regulations to control exposure of workpeople to all toxic substances, including carcinogens, and that completion of this work would enable Her Majesty's Government to ratify the convention. This work is still in progress and until it is completed I regret it is still not possible to give a date for ratification of the convention.