UK: MP Cyril Smith speaks about asbestos regulation

Cyril Smith's Difficult Decision

In the Summer of 1981, former Rochdale MP Sir Cyril Smith had to make one of the most difficult decisions of his legislative career.

Rochdale was home to the world's largest asbestos manufacturing facility in a time when studies showing the health effects of asbestos exposure began to put pressure on Parliament to examine additional regulations for the material. During the summer recess, Smith was informed that parliament would hold a debate on asbestos policy in the next session.

If the plant, operated by Turner & Newall, was shutdown, the community would lose hundreds if not thousands of jobs during a difficult economic period but if it continued to operate, it would further jeopardize the safety of workers and the community.

Smith visited the facility and solicited a plant manager to prepare remarks for him to read during the debate. Later he would testify before parliament with a near verbatim rendition of the remarks that called for lenient regulation and cautious exploration of alternative materials.

The former MP said that he was aware of the possible health problems posed by the material but needed to protect jobs and felt that plant workers had accurate information regarding asbestos exposure.

The 80-year-old retiree spoke about his dilemma in a recent interview following an article that revealed he had solicited T&N for talking points on asbestos. Fellow party members were largely supportive of him but opponents and activist groups were quick to criticize him for putting productivity ahead of safety.

Federal Mogul acquired Turner & Newall in 1998 and would later file for bankruptcy under the weight of asbestos litigation.

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