HC Deb 31 July 1984 vol 65 cc204-5
2. Miss Maynard

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to increase the number of safety inspectors monitoring the Asbestos Licencing Regulations 1983.

The Minister of State, Department of Employment (Mr. John Selwyn Gummer)

The regulations will make it easier for the Health and Safety Executive to identify asbestos removal operations and thus to use its resources more effectively to protect workers and the general public. It is, however, for the executive to determine the optimum allocation of its resources to this work.

Miss Maynard

Will the Minister confirm that the Health and Safety Executive has issued licences to approximately 700 contractors to strip asbestos from buildings, when it has virtually no knowledge of most of those contractors? Should not many additional safety inspectors be appointed to police that operation?

Mr. Gummer

The HSE has issued licences on a term basis, many for only one year, and a smaller number for five years. It will obviously be necessary to monitor the firms involved, which is one of the main reasons for the new licensing arrangements. I assure the hon. Lady that the HSE thinks that it has the resources necessary to cover the job.

Mr. Evans

Will the Minister acknowledge that there is widespread concern about the huge number of contractors who have been licensed by the HSE, and that even some members of the Asbestos Removers Contractors Association are beginning to say that the system is a charter for cowboys? Is the Minister satisfied that there are enough inspectors in post to police and monitor the operation of every contractor, and so protect the public from emissions of asbestos dust?

Mr. Gummer

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will agree that the purpose of the regulations is to monitor. I shall be carefully watching what happens after the licences are issued. The HSE should use its resources to ensure that the terms of the licences are complied with and that asbestos is stripped safely. It will do that, and I shall keep a close eye on the matter.