TURNER AND NEWALL AND SIR CYRIL SMITH

That this House notes that for decades the asbestos industry covered up the fatal health threat posed by the carcinogenic mineral; further notes that some 4,000 people a year die from incurable asbestos-related diseases; expresses disquiet over letters revealing that on 5th August 1981 the then hon. Member for Rochdale, Sir Cyril Smith, asked Turner and Newall, a major asbestos corporation, to supply a speech to make in the Chamber of the House in a debate on asbestos controls; is disturbed that the letter of 5th August 1981 stated `could you please, within the next eight weeks, let me have the speech you would like to make (were you able to!) in the debate?'; believes such action was dishonourable and not in the interests of the public nor in the finest tradition of this House; and expresses its support for those now demanding that the former hon. Member for Rochdale be stripped of his knighthood.