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Hong Kong :
[LORDS]
LORD SHEPHERD: My Lords, I announced on Thursday last, in reply to a Question from my noble friend Lord Sorensen, that 12 of the remaining 18 Emergency Regulations, including the one my noble friend specifically mentioned, have now been withdrawn. In regard to the Ombudsman, this is a matter to which I and the Governor have given very careful attention. We both regard the City District Officer scheme as per- haps the first step in such a system, but we are giving further thought as to how the questions, doubts and complaints that may exist among the general public may be more carefully and fully examined.
LORD SORENSEN: My Lords might I ask my noble friend why we constantly use the word “ Ombudsman when we have a very good British equivalent?
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LORD SHEPHERD: My Lords, I used the word "Ombudsman only because my noble friend used it.
2.38 p.m.
ANGUILLA
LORD BROCKWAY: My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
[The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what conclusions have been reached regarding the future of Anguilla.]
LORD SHEPHERD: My Lords, as my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and/Commonwealth Affairs said in another place on May 23 he had had a series of useful discussions with the Premierf St. Kitts-Nevis- Anguilla during the latter's recent visit to London, on the setting up of a Commis- sion to study the Anguilla problem in the light of constituțional and other factors and to make recommendations leading to a satisfactory/and durable solution. It was agreed that the Commission will be appointed later in the year. of reference of the Commission have been placed in the Library of the House.
The terms
LORD BROCKWAY: My Lords, again thanking my noble friend for his reply, may ask what progress has been made since May 23? Could my noble friend say whether the police and military per- sonnel from Britain are still on the Island; secondly, and, whether there has
H.L. 28 A 10
Social Reforms
been any suggestion of the appointment of a Caribbean High Commissioner there?
LORD SHEPHERD: My Lords, Ahe police and military are still in Anghilla and will remain there as long as it is considered necessary. But as my hoble friend will know, the Royal Engineers in particular are doing a useful civil operation in the Island. So far as the appointment of a High Commissioner for the area is concerned, this is something that we undertook to consider. Naturally we are still considering the matter, but we prefer to await the outcome of the Commission to which I have just referred, once it has been set up and has reported.
ENZYME WASHING HOWDERS
AND WORKERS' HEALTH LORD O'HAGAN: My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper. [The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action is being taken to safeguard the health of workers in factories making enzyme washing powders.]
THE MINISTER OF STATE, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD/BROWN): My Lords, the risk to workers exposed to enzyme washing powders is that the material can cause both skin reaction and acute illness. Individual sensitivity may play a part. There is also some evidence that in- halation of enzyme material may lead to impairment of lung function. Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate has been in close touch with this problem since the early stages of production in this country. Medical inspectors have visited the factories concerned and at one factory have made a detailed survey of workers which has been followed up. The need for the higher standard of environmental control has been stressed to all the com- panies concerned. New methods of manu- facture and handling have probably greatly reduced the risk, but it is neces- sary to be sure that this is the case. The Chief Inspector of Factories has invited all companies concerned to a meeting as a matter of urgency. It is hoped that they will share their medical knowledge and experience.
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LORD O'HAGAN: My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer.
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