§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many deaths there were from lung cancer in the rubber industry for the years 1977, 1978 and 1979, respectively;
(2) what steps he is taking to implement the findings of the study by the Health and Safety Executive "Morality in the British Rubber Industries 1967–1976"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewI have been asked to reply.
I regret that these figures are not available. However, considerable information on the number of causes of death among a study population of rubber industry workers during earlier years is provided by the report to which the hon. Member refers. This report itself states what steps the Health and Safety Executive and the industry are taking to reduce health risks.
The rubber industry with its earlier history of using antioxidants which were subsequently proved to be carcinogenic, has been the subject of considerable scrutiny by Her Majesty's Factory In- 450W spectorate (HMFI). With the establishment of the Health and Safety Executive and the reorganisation of HMFI, a national industry group for the rubber and cable-making industry was established. This NIG has developed a rolling five-year programme, in collaboration with the Health and Safety Advisory Committee of the British Rubber Manufacturers Association and the trades unions, to achieve improvements in hygiene control in the industry.
Within this programme a major effort is to be devoted to matters, such as the application of sound engineering methods for the control by ventilation of dust and fume from certain processes, as well as general cleanliness and good housekeeping. A survey of dust and fume control has been carried out by HMFI in the manufacturing section of a selected group of factories, so as to provide reliable data on worker exposure and to show ways of reducing such exposure to the lowest reasonably practicable level.