§ 2. Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will in future seek guarantees from the purchasers of naval vessels for purposes of shipbreaking, on the removal of asbestos from the vessels, before any sale is agreed.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement (Mr. John Lee)It has long been our practice to emphasise to purchasers of surplus naval vessels offered for scrap the statutory requirement to conform with the regulations in force at the time on the handling of asbestos. Firms tendering for the work are required to certify that they will so comply.
§ Mr. FoulkesIn view of all the problems that the Health and Safety Executive has had with asbestos in the breaking up of the Ark Royal and the Bulwark at Cairnryan, and in view of the huge asbestos dump that has been discovered at Faslane, of all places, is it not grossly irresponsible of the Secretary of State to sell off those ships without getting a clear guarantee about the disposal of asbestos? Will the Minister consider the matter again? Will he also tell the people of Scotland what will happen to the dump at Faslane?
§ Mr. LeeI know of the hon. Gentleman's sincerity and genuineness in that area. We have dealt with several letters from him in that regard. However, I ask him to preserve some balance. The shipbreaking industry employs about 500 people. We work as closely as possible with the Health and Safety Executive. We recently recast our tendering documents to draw the attention of purchasers of the hulks to the existence of asbestos. We are as concerned as everyone to ensure that that work is handled 521 carefully and satisfactorily. Where individual shipbreakers contravene the law they are prosecuted, as is the case at present.
The asbestos at Faslane was originally tipped well before regulations came into force and before the general concern about asbestos. We are carefully examining the whole site. It is fenced off, and no work is taking place at present.