HL Deb 14 March 1968 vol 290 cc439-40WA
LORD CROOK

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, with reference to the debate on the Report of Her Majesty's Inspector of Factories on 5th February, note has been taken of the report in The Times newspaper on 15th February, wherein were reported:

  1. (a) proceedings at an inquest on one Frank Pearson, aged 57;
  2. (b) the statement that he had been employed from 1942 to 1964 in the asbestos department of a Company in Chapel-en-le-Frith;
  3. (c) that the Company in question had carried out experiments with "blue" asbestos;
  4. (d) that the experiments in question had "stopped in the middle 1950s";
  5. (e) that the man died from the rare tumour of the lung known as "mesothelioma";
    6. 440
  6. (f) that the verdict of the Coroner was that Pearson died from mesothelioma due to the fact that in the early part of his working life he was exposed to asbestos dust;
and whether detailed investigation of the case will be undertaken in connection with discussions as to new safety regulations about the use of "blue" asbestos.

LORD SHACKLETON

My right honourable friend the Minister of Labour, who maintains a register of all cases of mesothelioma occurring in this country, is aware of this case and it will be investigated along with the others on the register.