§ Mr. Thorntonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has as to the health hazards arising from the increasing and often unsupervised use of sunbed facilities; and if he will consider taking steps to introduce controls to minimise the risk to the public and to ensure that the commercial operators of 203W such facilities provide both qualified supervision and adequate facilities such as showers.
§ Mr. MayhewI have been asked to reply.
Manufacturers, importers and suppliers of sunbeds supplied for use in commercial establishments are required by the general provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to evaluate any hazards arising during the normal operation of their equipment and to provide information on such matters to purchasers. The data available at the present time suggest that hazards may arise in their use and an investigation is being carried out to determine the types of ultra-violet radiation present and what exposures are being advised. Following this the Health and Safety Executive will be consulting interested parties and in the light of their views it will consider whether there is a need to issue advice on the safe use of sunbeds.