§ Mr. Charles R. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Employment when Her Majesty's Government intend to ratify International Labour Organisation convention 139 concerning the prevention and control of occupational hazards caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe Government support the objectives of ILO convention No. 139. The Health and Safety Commission began work on the preparation of new regulations for the control of carcinogenic substances but, following agreement by Ministers in June 1980 to a European Community framework directive concerned with the control of hazardous agents in the work place, the HSC has reviewed its general strategy for legislation on substances hazardous to health. Work is now proceeding on the preparation of regulations to control exposure of workpeople to all toxic substances, including carcinogens.
Completion of this work would enable Her Majesty's Government to ratify the convention, but until it is completed I regret that I am unable to give a date for ratification.