§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Paymaster General, in the light of the latest Swedish study showing that mice
282W
Age and Duration Analysis of the Unemployed for Statistical Date 9 January 1986 Males Barnsley East Parliamentary Constituency Duration of Unemployment in weeks Under 17 17 18 19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–49 50–54 55–59 60 and over Total One or less 4 8 7 0 12 9 11 7 2 1 4 2 1 68 Over 1 and up to 2 3 4 3 2 18 29 20 27 26 21 42 8 3 206 Over 2 and up to 4 5 6 9 6 15 10 9 16 10 8 154 57 3 305 Over 4 and up to 6 2 16 101 1 21 14 9 10 7 11 71 22 6 210 Over 6 and up to 8 6 7 6 7 19 8 11 5 5 5 8 5 5 97 Over 8 and up to 13 11 27 13 9 44 21 26 26 20 26 40 20 7 290 Over 13 and up to 26 71 70 61 26 86 58 41 31 26 20 138 273 51 952 Over 26 and up to 39 8 45 38 24 60 34 31 27 14 17 42 49 16 405 Over 39 and up to 52 0 8 16 18 29 19 15 14 11 8 13 17 5 173 Over 52 and up to 65 0 7 19 19 31 18 12 15 11 6 9 13 4 164 Over 65 and up to 78 0 26 20 18 37 15 13 15 12 8 8 13 0 185 Over 78 and up to 104 0 1 16 17 35 31 21 25 17 12 27 54 2 280 Over 104 and up to 156 0 0 14 25 58 54 45 44 30 24 26 103 0 433 Over 156 and up to 208 0 0 0 8 56 29 33 26 31 12 20 49 0 264 Over 208 and up to 260 0 0 0 0 43 25 30 30 24 19 17 25 0 213 Over 260 0 0 0 0 27 46 52 53 31 27 34 43 0 313 Grand totals Males 110 225 231 190 621 420 379 371 277 225 653 753 103 4,558 exposed to low-level radiation from visual display units produce a higher than average incidence of stillborn or deformed offspring, what steps he proposes to take to strengthen the National Radiological Protection Board's powers to regulate and control hazards arising from low level radiation.
§ Mr. TrippierEarly reports of the Swedish study suggested a higher than average incidence of birth defects but in fact no significant increase was found. The National Radiological Protection Board does not consider that emissions from visual display units present a risk during pregnancy.
§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Paymaster General if, in the light of the industrial tribunal's decision in the cases of Mrs. Hazel Johnson from Inverness, he proposes to issue any further guidelines to employers in case of pregnant women working with visual display units.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Health and Safety Executive has recently published a free guidance leaflet on working with visual display units. The leaflet advises that there is no reason for pregnant women to stop working with visual display units but they should consult a doctor if they have any doubts.
§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Paymaster General what steps he proposes to take in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive to seek to control static electricity and heat build-up in offices from visual display units.
§ Mr. TrippierExisting Health and Safety Executive guidance deals with the control of static electricity and other relevant environmental factors. The executive continues to keep possible health risks from visual display units under review. Guidance will be revised as necessary.