Did T&N write Cyril Smith's 1981 speech on asbestos?

Sir Cyril Smith

Rochdale Online again has first access to original archived documents. These newly revealed documents from asbestos company archives, once believed to be destroyed, shed new light on the ongoing controversy surounding the relationship between 'asbestos giant' Turner & Newall and Rochdale's former MP, Sir Cyril Smith.

In the past fortnight, Sir Cyril has robustly defended the 1981 speech about asbestos he gave in Parliament amidst claims that the directors of T&N wrote the speech for him.

Sir Cyril told Rochdale Online earlier this month: “When I approached my speech in the early 1980s, I did as any good MP would do and contacted the Managing Director with regards to my speech. I tried to find out his side of the story as thousands relied on the site. I did not read the speech out verbatim as seems to have been indicated. Yes, it’s true that I used information provided as background for my speech but they were my own words."

Newly discovered T&N archives can confirm that a letter reproduced in the New Statesman article “The Lies that Killed” has been confirmed as appearing as an original archived T&N document.

Dated 5 August 1981, the letter from Cyril Smith MP, on House of Commons notepaper, to T&N Director Sidney Marks, reads: “Dear Mr Marks,

"I understand that the debate on Asbestos will be on Friday, 23rd October.

"Could you please, within the next eight weeks, let me have the speech you would like to make (were you able to!) in that debate? In particular, points of disagreement with EEC documentation, points to urge, etc.

"Perhaps you would sent it to me at 14 Emma Street, Rochdale, as the House is now in recess. I will then read it and telephone you to discuss it.”

The following correspondence has also been identified in the archived T&N files. They are now available for Rochdale Online readers to view and download. These original documents are arranged in date order prior to the Parliamentary debate on asbestos in October 1981.

10 August 1981
Typed letter from Sidney Marks to Cyril Smith MP:

“Dear Cyril,

"Thank you for your letter of 5th August confirming the debate in the House on asbestos is likely to be 23rd October 1981.

"As previously agreed I will forward you in good time a proposed draft test for your speech along the lines you have suggested which we can discuss in detail at some convenient time.”

11 August 1981

Typed letter from S. Marks to Cyril Smith MP.

It begins: “Dear Cyril, Further to my letter dated 10th August, I enclose an initial proposed draft text for your speech to the House of Commons which summarises the main issues...”

The archives contain the work-in-progress by TBA of the draft Parliamentary speech:

Typed in the same font as all other T&N archived company documents they are headed in capitals: “SUGGESTED SPEECH BY MR. CYRIL SMITH IN THE FORTHCOMING DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON EEC DIRECTIVE ON ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS.

The first draft contains handwritten side notes, dated 11/8, and signed with the initials and in the known style of TBA Health and Safety Manager Reg Sykes. The note reads:

“Mr Marks,

"see...editorial comments in pencil, also suggested re-write of item (d) 9 comments on (d) attached.

"RS. 11/8”

A separate note indicates that item (d) was a technical reference to sampling of asbestos in air and safety thresholds with regard to the proposed EEC Directive.

Another draft of the full TBA suggested speech is contained in the archive. Attached is a small handwritten note from Reg Sykes dated 2/9/81. It reads:

“Mr Marks,

"Re Cyril Smith.

"This is the draft I had in mind.

"The parts underlined in red could... form the basis of a H of C presentation by C.S. ..though... some amendments might be required.

"Let me know if...I can be of any help.

"RS 2/9/81 “

The main heading and themes of the suggested draft speech are:

Introduction about TBA Rochdale. Number of workers and size of plant;

The recognised dangers of asbestos and the recent Simpson Committee findings and draft EEC directive;

Importance of asbestos fibres and their “unique properties”;

UK Industry's voluntary ban on blue (crocidolite) asbestos;

Difficulties with asbestos substitutes;

Unfair advantage of other countries against the UK;

Anti-smoking campaigns to improve asbestos workers' health;

Major progress by the asbestos industry and the need for fair EEC harmonisation.

(For comparison, a copy of the actual 1981 speech delivered by Cyril Smith MP is available from a Hansard source online at: http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1981/oct/22/asbestos )

24 August 1981

A typed letter on House of Commons notepaper from Cyril Smith to Sidney Marks reads:

“Dear Sid,

"Thank you for your very kind letter and documents of August 17th. I want to read them at least 10 times before I come to see you, but I would like half an hour with you in the week commencing 12th October, and I'm wondering if you could suggest a time on Tuesday, 13th when it might be possible to do so.

"For my part I prefer something like 9.30 a.m. (assuming Directors start that early at Turners!!!).

"The other point you make Re Joel Barnett [then MP for Heywood], I would suggest that you send him your tabular version of the two directives which outline your views on the proposals, telling him that you understand that there is to be a debate on this matter in October and that if he would like any information etc. you would be happy to supply it. The key thing, of course, is that you do not send him my speech. [In the original document the words 'do not' and 'my speech' are underlined by Cyril Smith MP for emphasis].

"Kind regards

"Cyril”

26 August 1981

A short, friendly letter from Sidney Marks to Cyril Smith reads:

“Dear Cyril,

"Thank you for your letter of 24th August. I shall be only too pleased to discuss the matter in further detail here at TBA, commencing at 9.30a.m. (having completed the 'early shift' before you arrive!).

"I look forward to seeing you on the 13th October.”

10 September 1981

Typed letter from Sidney Marks to Cyril Smith asking for reserved seats to be arranged for TBA directors in the Public Gallery of the House of Common for the Asbestos debate. The paragraph finished with the sentence:

“Anything you can do for us in this direction would be greatly appreciated."

Reference was also made to Cyril Smith's suggestion of sending information on asbestos to the neighbouring MP for Heywood, Joel Barnett. Mr Marks writes: “Incidentally, I sent some documentation (but not your speech) to Joel Barnett as you suggested. He acknowledged receipt that the information will be of considerable help."

The official Parliamentary record, Hansard, confirms that Joel Barnett MP did NOT make a speech, or any contribution, in the asbestos debate of 23 October 1981.

5 October 1981

A typed internal TBA memo from Sidney Marks to Brian Heron explaining that a letter from Cyril Smith had been damaged in the post. The MP's letter had confirmed that seats had been arranged in the public gallery of the House of Commons for T&N director and managers. It also contained an invitation from Cyril Smith to dinner in the House.

A transcript of the damaged letter from Cyril Smith MP, dated 21 September was attached to the memo. It reads: “Dear Mr Marks,

"Many thanks for your letter of 10th September.

"I am pleased to say that I have been able to arrange for four seats in the Public Gallery in the House on 23rd October 1981 for the debate on asbestos.

"I would be delighted if you could all join me for Dinner in the House on Thursday Evening, i.e. 22nd October, and please would you let me know as soon as possible if you can attend.

"I look forward to seeing you all.

"Cyril Smith MBE MP”

7 October 1981

First Class post letter from Sidney Marks to Cyril Smith apologising for the delay in replying because of correspondence being damaged in the post. The dinner invitation was accepted and thanks given for the four reserved seats in the House for the debate.

The last paragraph reads: “In the meantime I look forward to seeing you at 9.30 next Tuesday 13th October here at TBA when you call in to go through your proposed speech.”

10 October 1981

A House of Commons hand written note to Sidney Marks reads: “Dear Sidney Thanks for yours of Oct 7th. I'll see you on Oct 13th as arranged. Meanwhile please tell David Hills and his 3 colleagues to meet me in Central Lobby at 7.15pm on Thursday 22nd October for Dinner. Regards! Cyril.”

David Hills was the then Chairman of TBA, Brian Heron the Managing Director also attended.

2 November 1981

The industry-funded Asbestos Information Centre (AIC) issued a press release about the October 1981 House of Commons debate on Asbestos. It mentioned the praise given in Parliament to the 'great efforts' in dust suppression and credit to the industry for workplace improvements. Despite several speeches in the debate to the contrary, the AIC press release suggested there was “general acceptance of control rather than total prohibition” of asbestos.

Emphasis was placed on the 'unique properties of asbestos' and the difficulties of replacing the mineral with 'suitable and cost effective substitutes'.

The final paragraph of the AIC press release reads: “An Opposition amendment, with the aim of seeking to eliminate the further use of asbestos in all its forms throughout the community, was defeated by 113 votes to 52.”

Download