§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make available the figures of the increase of newly diagnosed cases of pulmonary asbestosis in each of the past five years; what variety of asbestos produced the symptomology; and what active preventive measures have been introduced and made statutory during the past five years.
39W
§ Mr. GummerThe figures for newly diagnosed cases of asbestosis are published annually by the Department of Health and Social Security. The figures for the last available five years are:
Number 1978 132 1979 135 1980 150 1981 153 1982 185 Information on what type of asbestos produced the symptomology is not available.
The exposure of workers to asbestos is controlled by the Asbestos Regulations 1969 and relevant provisions of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. In 1981 the Health and Safety Commission published an approved code of practice for the purpose of providing guidance on the precautions to be observed in work involving asbestos-based thermal and acoustic insulation and sprayed coatings in compliance with the legislation. In addition, new regulations governing the licensing of this work will come into operation on 1 August this year and new stringent control limits for exposure to asbestos are also to be introduced from that date.