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Cancer Research Campaign (CRC) conference to launch the work of CRC Committee on Cancer Education, 13 January 1982. Correspondence and papers relating to the conference. Includes a copy of CRC Great Picnic Souvenir spring magazine No. 3, 1981, with colour photographs of the queen.

Among those who attended was also E G Rushworth of the Cancer Prevention Society, Glasgow.

Copy of the booklet.

Papers and correspondence re the work of the Health & Safety Commission's (HSC) Advisory Committee on Asbestos (ACA), in reverse chronological order.

ACA was chaired by the Scottish trade unionist and political activist, William (Bill) James Simpson (hence 'Simpson Committee). Simpson was HSC chairman 1974-1983.

ACA's terms of reference were: "To review the risks to health arising from exposure to asbestos or products containing asbestos including: persons exposed at work; members of the public exposed to asbestos generated from work activities; members of the public exposed to asbestos from consumer products and from asbestos waste; [and] To make recommendations as to whether any further protection is required."

For a copy of the final report of the Committee (‘Asbestos: vol. 1: final report of the advisory committee’, 1979), consult University of Strathclyde Special Collections at http://suprimo.lib.strath.ac.uk/.

Three components:

• "Ireland | Dr Murray": Nancy Tait's correspondence with contacts in Ireland, 1977-1982, starting with copy of a statement by international asbestos expert Dr Robert Murray that the controversial Raybestos Manhattan brake-lining factory at Ovens and the waste-dump at Ringaskiddy, both Co Cork, were safe
• papers relating to EEC perceptions of and policy concerning asbestos, 1978-1981, including a note from Nancy Tait to Petra Kelly
• miscellaneous notes, correspondence, excerpts from publications c.1978-1981

Correspondence and papers re reform of the industrial injuries scheme (Cmnd 8402). Includes:

• DHSS discussion documents, draft papers and press releases 1980-1982
• some press reports 1979-1982
• correspondence between Nancy Tait, DHSS, solicitors and reporters, spring 1982
• invitation from the DHSS for Nancy Tait to attend a meeting of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC), February 1982, and transcripts of her contributions
• SPAID commentary on asbestos-related diseases where asbestos is not present, submitted in response to a request for information received from the IIAC, January 1982
• copy of typescript by Alan Walker (June 1980) 'Industrial injuries compensation: the case for reforming the industrial injuries scheme', precirculated for the Disability Alliance Conference 'The industrial injuries scheme: is there a need for change?', Imperial College, London, 13 June 1980 (see link below)
• copy of DHSS discussion paper (February 1980) 'Industrial injuries compensation - a discussion document'
• correspondence between Nancy Tait and the IIAC, 1978-1979, introducing the newly founded SPAID

Papers and correspondence, chiefly with Drs J C Wagner, F D Pooley, G Berry and P C Elmes of the MRC Pneumoconiosis Unit at Penarth, Wales, re their current research on asbestos fibres.

• copies of HSE news releases (from February 1976 called ‘Health & safety bulletin’) October 1975 – July 1978 with occasional annotations (e.g. ‘Find Rushworth’s comments’, ‘Mines’, ‘Simpson’, ‘p. 4 asbestos’, ‘Simpson Committee’, ‘no asbestos’, ‘Petra [Kelly]’ /’sent’ etc.)
• also copy of news release 24 August 1983, 'Asbestos'

Copy of a booklet from the Canadian Asbestos Information Centre's 'Technical facts' series.

Correspondence with SPAID trustee Edward Beckett.

Beckett was one of Nancy Tait's earliest supporters in her quest to find answers regarding the death of her husband and regarding the health risks associated with asbestos. At the time Beckett was the secretary of the Post Office and Civil Service Sanatorium Society, originally founded to help working class Post Office employees when conventional medical insurance was not widely affordable.

Papers and correspondence, chiefly with David Gee, re asbestos-induced diseases in shipyard workers (1982), reforms of the industrial injuries scheme 1982, World in Action documentary on mining practices in South Africa (‘Dust to dust’, 1981), an extended exchange re the GMWU questionnaire on production, employment and employee protection in asbestos manufacturing plants (including various drafts, 1979-1980), etc. Includes

• minutes of a meeting between Nancy Tait, David Gee, Tess Gill and Jane Welsh 23 November 1983
• summary of contribution from David Gee to inaugural meeting of SPAID, 10 March 1979 (incomplete)

David Gee was national Health & Safety officer for the GMB Union.

Correspondence and papers relating to Nancy Tait's presentation at the PO & Civil Service Sanatorium Society Conference, Scarborough, 5-6 May 1983. Includes

• typescripts of Nancy Tait's presentation
• letter from David Leon (Social Statistics Research Unit, City University, London), August 1983, summarising his conclusions on 5 recent papers discussing risks from occupational exposure to asbestos
• SPAID press release for the Health & Safety Commission (HSC) meeting 23 August 1983, criticising the upcoming HSC meeting for narrowly focusing on the risks involved in manufacturing asbestos, at the expense of the grave dangers posed by use of asbestos
• copies of key documents and a little correspondence, including with the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, 1977, to whom Tait had written about her project to conduct 'a pilot study on asbestos'

Documents relating to Nancy Tait's presentation (with Dr Vernon J Harvey) ‘Mesothelioma patients referred to Hackney Hospital – a preliminary report’, presented at the Anglo-French Social Medicine conference, Winchester, 1983.

Includes abstract, typescript of paper, typescript of case notes.

Copy of a booklet from the Canadian Asbestos Information Centre's 'Health facts' series.

Interactions with the organisation's trustee. Also includes correspondence with the Charity Commission.

Correspondence with SPAID trustee Lord Plant of Benenden.

Cyril Thomas Howe Plant, Baron Plant, CBE (1910-1986) was a British trade unionist.