§ Miss Joan Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Employment what information is available to him as to the effects on the health of pregnant women operating visual display units.
§ Mr. GummerThe Health and Safety Executive is aware of reports of adverse effects on the health of pregnant women working at visual display units. No reports have yet been published in the scientific literature, but the executive's employment medical advisory service is in touch with investigators at the Mount Sinai hospital, New York who are conducting a survey of VDU operators with particular reference to the assessment of the likelihood of reproductive effects.
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§ Miss Joan Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough of 20 July, Official Report, c. 85–86, when he now expects the Health and Safety Executive to issue its guidance note on the operation of visual display units and other types of office technology; and what steps he intends taking to inform employers of the existence of the guidance mote.
§ Mr. GummerIn the light of requests from several interested parties for further time to comment on the draft guidance note, the Health and Safety Executive had to delay publication. However, the guidance note is now with the printers and will be published within the next few weeks. The executive will, following its usual practice, seek to inform all interested parties, including employers, of publication by way of a press release describing the note's nature, content and availability.