§ Mrs. Bainasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will investigate and report on the incidence of bladder cancer in the vicinity of former textile dye works in the Vale of Leven, Dunbarton; and how many textile dye workers in the Vale of Leven have been awarded industrial disease benefit for bladder tumours in recent years.
§ Mr. John GrantI have been asked to reply by virtue of my overall responsibility for the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, but I have been in touch with my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Health and Social Security and with the Health and Safety Commission.
I understand that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available in the detail requested. Between 1971 and 1976 there was only one new award of industrial injury benefit for prescribed disease No. 39—papilloma of the bladder—in the whole of Scotland, but the occupation involved is not known. Although the prima facie evidence does not suggest that an investi- 256W gation as suggested by the hon. Member is necessary, I have asked the Health and Safety Commission to consider the matter further in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland; and if the hon. Member has any specific information bearing on the incidence of the disease in the area I shall be glad if she will let the Health and Safety Commission know.