HC Deb 16 July 1979 vol 970 cc413-4W
Mr. Norman Hogg

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what research is currently undertaken or proposed into the incidence of occupational cancers in Scotland.

Mr. Mayhew,

pursuant to his reply, [Official Report, 12 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 243], gave the following answer

I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Health and Safety Executive is carrying out a mortality study of workers in steel foundries in two Scottish towns following a report which suggested that there was an increase in the incidence of lung cancer due to atmospheric pollution in the area around one of the foundries. This is in addition to a number of surveys concerning occupational cancers throughout Great Britain.

Mr. Jim Lester,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 12 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 244], gave the following answer

The unemployment register for the United Kingdom was at comparatively low points in May each year, and at December 1978, for seasonal reasons. However, during the period specified, the only dates for which analyses of the unemployed by age have been compiled for the special development areas are July 1978—when the register was high because of the inclusion of large numbers of summer school leavers—October 1978, and January and April 1979.

Earlier figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The following information relates to young people under 25 years of age: