§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Paymaster General whether the Health and Safety Executive has reviewed the existing data linking passive smoking with ischaemic heart disease and angina; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierThe independent scientific committee on smoking and health has examined a comprehensive review of the health effects of passive smoking and is due to report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services next year. While the Health and Safety Executive has received a certain amount of data, it does not propose to make a separate appraisal of the evidence.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Paymaster General (1) if the Health and Safety Executive proposes to issue a warning about the possible links between passive smoking and cancer other than lung cancer, in addition to the reference to lung cancer in its circular "The Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974, Application to Passive Smoking at Work";
(2) on what date the Health and Safety Executive's circular "The Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974, Application to Passive Smoking at Work" was last revised; and when it will next be reviewed.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Health and Safety Executive issued this circular to factory inspectors in June 1979. It will be reviewed in the light of the findings of the independent scientific committee on smoking and health which is due to report on passive smoking to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.