§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East on 29 January, Official Reportc. 479, what consideration the Health and Safety Executive has given to the studies into the possible association between exposure to pentachlorophenol and certain types of cancer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI am advised by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Health and Safety Executive—HSE—has considered studies made into the possible association between pentachlorophenol—PCP—and certain types of cancer. It is the view of the HSE that these studies do not provide conclusive evidence of such a link. The HSE is currently pursuing investigations of cases of cancer alleged to be associated with PCP exposure.