HC Deb 04 May 1970 vol 801 cc39-41W
79. Mr. Oakes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many workers are directly involved in the manufacture of plastic foam; and manufacturing sector in the different countries the table cannot be regarded as providing comparable figures of monetary earnings. More particularly the figures must not be regarded as a measure of differences in real incomes. Real incomes will be influenced by a number of other factors including social security benefits, the methods of financing social security, the level and method of taxation, and the differences in price levels and patterns of consumer expenditure.

It should be noted that the figures relate to a period before the changes in 1969 in the parity of the German and French currencies. Following are the figures for April, 1969 (September, 1968, for France) the latest date for which they are available:

what reports she has received from her factory inspectors on the health hazards involved.

Mr. Harold Walker:

Information about the numbers of workers directly involved in the manufacture of plastic foam is not available. Two recent incidents involving health hazards were reported in the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1968, a copy of which has been sent to my hon. Friend drawing his attention to the relevant passage on page 64–65.

Mr. Oakes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will set up an inquiry into the effects of fumes on workers engaged in the manufacture of plastic foam.

Mr. Harold Walker:

No. H.M. Factory Inspectorate is aware of the risks to health from fumes in the manufacture of plastic foam.

Mr. Oakes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what evidence has been submitted to her regarding the effects of tolylene diisocyanate on the health of workers engaged in the manufacture of plastic foam.

Mr. Harold Walker:

The effects of tolylene diisocyanate are well known to the Medical Branch of H.M. Factory Inspectorate. Its vapour is a respiratory irritant and sensitiser which produces asthma-like symptoms of varying intensity, with a cough or sense of tightening in the chest. High standards of environmental control, together with the use of less dangerous forms of diisocyanate have greatly reduced the risk to the health of workers concerned. My Department is, of course, keeping a careful watch on developments.