§ 2.46 p.m.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To asked Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a statement on 698 the health hazards alleged to be associated with the use, in contemporary building construction, of materials made of, or containing a proportion of, asbestos.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)My Lords, so far as I am aware, there is no evidence that building materials manufactured from asbestos present a health hazard, either to operatives engaged in construction or to the subsequent occupants of the building, provided that no dust arises from the absestos product. The dust produced from working asbestos materials, for example, sheeting, is dangerous to health. My right honourable friend the Minister of Labour is currently revising the Asbestos Industry Regulations for securing better control of the risk to workers using materials containing asbestos.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether his attention has been drawn to the report of Leeds University which indicates that, so far as the research they have undertaken is concerned, the health hazard occurs not only in respect of dust or to workmen using asbestos, but also in respect of other elements in the material and to those who live and work in buildings in which the material has been used? Whether this allegation is true I do not know; but it is of great concern to those of us who at the moment are responsible for decisions relating to big building construction in this country.
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, the research going on at Leeds University has not been brought to my attention, but I know from past experience at the Ministry of Defence that this subject is under close study in the field of naval construction. As I said in my Answer, the dust produced from working asbestos material is a danger to health, and research is going on intensively over a wide field to find out exactly what is this danger. I shall make a point of studying the report from the University mentioned.
§ LORD ALPORTMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether, having studied this report, he will be good enough to make a further statement, if he thinks it 699 necessary, either to reassure us or, alternatively, to give point to the results of the research?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I should be grateful if the noble Lord would raise the question again after I have had time to study the points he mentioned.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, could my noble friend let me know when the last Statutory Order designed to protect workers against the inhalation of asbestos dust, or in relation to other factors connected with the use of asbestos, was made?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I am afraid that I cannot answer my noble friend today; but as part of the study that I promised the noble Lord, Lord Alport, I will look into this point and inform my noble friend.