§ 5. Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement with regard to assistance given by his Department to Basildon district council concerning the removal of asbestos from certain council-owned dwellings.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Sir George Young)My Department took account of Basildon council's problems with asbestos when the housing investment programme allocations for the current year were being decided.
§ Mr. ProctorIs my hon. Friend aware of the real concern felt by many people in my constituency, and people in Basildon, about the removal of asbestos? Will he encourage the council to use some of its extra HIP allocation of two thirds of a million pounds to ensure the removal of asbestos, as the cost is estimated to be about a third of a million pounds?
§ Sir George YoungI agree with my hon. Friend. The allocation this year is some £887,000 higher than for last year and the estimated cost of removing the asbestos from the heating systems is £340,000. It should be within the council's ability to tackle this problem, but I understand the concern that this has generated among the tenants.