HC Deb 13 July 1976 vol 915 c127W
46. Mr. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he intends taking to protect workers at Chatham and other Royal Naval dockyards from mesothelioma, in view of the recent report by the Royal Navy and the Medical Research Council that they are three times more likely to contract this cancer associated with asbestos than the general population.

Mr. Duffy

There is nothing in the report quoted which suggests that the Royal dockyards should modify their present protective measures. Crocidolite, the blue asbestos, which is now known to cause mesothelioma, has not been supplied for use in the Royal dockyards since 1966.

Comprehensive safety precautions for working with asbestos and the safe working methods to be followed have been in force in the Royal dockyards for some time. The Regulations, which stem from the Asbestos Regulations 1969, and are covered by the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act, 1974, are strictly enforced, and are considered to be quite adequate for the protection of workers from possible hazards arising from working with asbestos.