§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will hold consultations with the Secretary of State for Social Services with a view to reducing the incidence of lung disease by making it possible for miners to be issued with personal dust sampling instruments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EmeryI am working to put proposals for increased dust sampling to the National Joint Pneumoconiosis Committee at the end of the summer, and to talk with the NCB and the unions before then. My officials are in touch with the Department of Health and Social Security on the best means of protecting miners from the dust hazard. This old problem has many complications, but I wish to ensure that every reasonable modern technique is used to safeguard the health of miners.