Document prRQeV7YN03Jj6mo7jyMXEwE

Mr, John Waddell JW/BW Copt*, to: ACM/JFK/SH Confidential London Office. ^ g# ^ $ f4Z C+<**sy( , 16th February. 1986 {iA Aabirtoa and MtwthtUgaa. Surgeon Captain Jaman wa not at the Conference at Belfast laat week, so we are no nearer the source of thing* at the Admiralty. Dr. Knox did, however, meet a young Surgeon-Commander who knew enough about the subject to gay that Devonport Dockyard la now using (or la about to lnetltute) very stringent precaution* Involving the uae of helmet* with an air supply; this will, presumably, very soon mean that aabeatoa will cease to be used. It la, therefore, of great importance and urgency that we find out who la or are making the operational decision* at tba Admiralty. It i* possible, for example, that this behaviour at Plymouth result* from local action by the District Inspector of Factories; alternatively, it may be due to directive* from above which would apply also at Portsmouth and all other naval dockyard*. Our approach must be, of course, that we realise there is a problem but we have a great deal of experience and would like to be of some help, if we could only find the right people to give advice to. I would suggest that you arrange for further enquiries to be made in Lroodon and at Portsmouth, with a view to arranging an appoint ment for yourself and Dr. Knox with someone at a suitable level of authority. Surgeon Captain James may be too high up and, in any case. Dr. Knox1* informant at Belfast said that CapitafctiJames will be retiring soon. You might usefully have a word on the phone with Mr. Daniel! about all this, and! am also sending a oopy of this note to Mr. Mann, In ease he wants to follow up In tbs Devonport arsa, where it would seem Coat'd. ... W 00 ; I Q61c! _____________________ -2that urgent action le alao necessary. I am sending a copy of this to Dr. Holmes, not only because pi his expertise in asbestos matters but because I believe he knoa*. Portsmouth dockyard. John w