§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper. May I point out a misprint in the Question as it appears on the Order Paper? The word "implication" should read "importation". This is due to my bad handwriting, for which I apologise to the House.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice the Secretary of State for Social Services has received from his advisory committees, and when, on the health effects of blue asbestos (crocidolite) in industry and in the home, and what recommendations have been made about its importation and use by the Clean Air Council, and when.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)My Lords, the former Secretary of State for Social Services was advised in 1968 that the induction of mesothelioma is particularly associated with exposure to blue asbestos, and that as it could not be assumed that any degree of exposure is completely free from risk, steps should be taken, where-ever practicable, to reduce the amount of exposure. The enforcement of the Asbestos Regulations 1969 virtually eliminates the risk to employees, and I understand that tests have shown that risk to the public from emission of particles to atmosphere is negligible. Since then imports have diminished. At a meeting in October, 1970, the Clean Air Council agreed that no further action was required.
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the decision taken by the Clean Air Council in October, 1970, was a reversal of an earlier decision which recommended a total ban on all imports of crocidolite for health reasons? Can the noble Lord inform the House what was the reason for this reversal of that recommendation?
§ LORD SANDFORDYes, my Lords; I was aware of that. The earlier recommendation of the Clean Air Council was considered by interested departments, but the Clean Air Council subsequently, at the later meeting in October to which I have just referred, first of all, learning that imports were tailing off rapidly, and secondly, learning about the efficiency of the regulations, came to the conclusion to which I have referred.
§ LORD KENNETMy Lords, is it not a fact that although imports may be tailing off, there is still a great deal of working of this substance in shipyards, where ships, often of foreign manufacture, are 355 broken in British yards, and also where ships often of foreign manufacture are maintained? Can the noble Lord inform the House of the rate of inhalation to which workers in those shipyards are subjected?
§ LORD SANDFORDNo, my Lords, not without notice. Of course, that is the kind of work for which the Asbestos Regulations of 1969 and the further work of the Factory Inspectorate is still required. But if the noble Lord will put down another Question referring specifically to his latter point, I will see that it is answered.