HC Deb 26 June 1985 vol 81 cc399-400W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Lord Privy Seal if any research is being undertaken into the effects on people employed in the Palace of Westminster who work with visual display units for more than three hours a day; if there are any plans to introduce guidelines for using them safely; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Biffen

In this, as in other matters, the House of Commons seeks to maintain standards broadly in line with the Civil Service, and it follows the relevant guidelines from the Cabinet Office (MPO), Her Majesty's Treasury Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency and the Civil Service Medical Advisory Service in the light of their research into the effects of working with VDUs. The

Total Agricultural Exports*
1979 1980 1981 1982 1983
MECU Per cent. MECU Per cent. MECU Per cent. MECU Per cent. MECU Per cent.
Germany 7,019 13.9 8,100 14.3 10,003 14.6 10,916 14.9 11,375 14.5
France 11,595 23.0 13,835 24.3 16,589 24.3 16,646 22.7 18,590 23.7
Italy 4,373 8.7 4,180 7.4 5,335 7.8 5,829 7.9 5,876 7.5
Netherlands 10,897 21.6 12,000 21.1 14,477 21.2 16,008 21.8 17,141 21.9
Belgium/Luxembourg 4,220 8.4 4,749 8.4 5,763 8.4 6,296 8.6 6,550 8.4
United Kingdom 5,222 10.4 6,116 10.8 7,296 10.6 7,757 10.6 7,972 10.2
Ireland 2,032 4.0 2,316 4.1 2,425 3.5 2,596 3.5 2,830 3.6
Denmark 4,099 8.1 4,494 7.9 5,367 7.9 5,957 8.1 6,272 8.0
Greece 916 1.8 1,033 1.8 1,093 1.6 1,370 1.9 1,765 2.3
Total of member states 50,373 100 56,823 100 68,348 100 73,375 100 78,371 100
* Including exports to other Community countries. Products covered are SITC, headings, 0, 1, 21, 22, 232, 24, 261–265 + 268, 29, 4, 592.11 + 592.12.

guidance issued jointly by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency and the Council of Civil Service Unions entitled "The Human Factors associated with the use of Cathode Ray Visual Display Units" was distributed to all Heads of Departments in November 1983. Everything possible is done to ensure that VDUs are sited correctly and that ergonomic factors are fully taken into account, including where relevant the provision of special furniture and screen filters. There is also a system of voluntary eye tests provided by the Nursing Sister for those employed or to be employed on VDUs.