HC Deb 06 April 1981 vol 2 cc200-1W
Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will arrange for his Department to undertake a comprehensive study on the effects toxic substances used in industry have on male and female workers and their ability to produce healthy children.

Mr. Waddington

The Health and Safety Executive continually monitors all evidence concerning the impact of exposure to toxic substances used in industry and, where there is any suggestion of direct or reproductive toxic effects, specific investigations are conducted and action taken to enforce the executive's policy that exposure to all substances should be kept as low as is reasonably practicable. In the executive's view, a comprehensive study of every potentially toxic substance used in industry to identify the possible impact of exposure on reproductive capacity is neither necessary nor, given the very great number of substances used in industry, practicable.