§ 2.52 p.m.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state what progress has now been made in the policy of examining and testing and encouraging the use of asbestos substitutes in this country since the scheduling of asbestos as a first classification pollutant within the EEC in 1973.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYMy Lords, a great deal of progress has been made in developing the use of asbestos substitutes in this country. I am advised that most insulation materials are asbestos free and, in the construction industry, asbestos based products are no longer specified where alternative materials are available. Research into extending the range of safe substitutes is being carried out by industry, universities, and Government laboratories. The Health and Safety Commission's Advisory Committee on Asbestos is paying close regard to this important issue, and in order to give the question of substitutes the detailed examination it requires, has set up a working group to deal with this subject alone. The report of this working group is currently being considered by the Committee.
§ Lord HALEMy Lords, I am very grateful indeed that the noble Lord, who I know is under some difficulties today, has given such helpful information, and I am grateful for the assistance he has constantly given me on request in the past. He will, I know, realise to some extent that the Question was prompted by the affirmative resolution, the strong resolution, of the European Assembly in January, and by the magnificent publication on this subject by the EEC. The English version was published by the Pergamon Press, for some reason, eight or nine months ago. But the report of the experts of the EEC—
§ Several noble Lords: Speech!
§ Lord HALEI am terribly sorry. The trouble is I have had the whole of the muscles below my ear removed. People turn and shout at me when I am standing, and the hearing aid slips. I will most gladly respond if noble Lords wish me to put this in the form of a question. Is that what your Lordships want?
§ Several noble Lords: Yes.
§ Lord HALEOh, I should be delighted. Is is true that the noble Lord will—as I know—place at my disposal such further information as he gets, and continuously give me the same assistance as he has so generously given in the past?
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYMy Lords, I am somewhat overcome by those words of praise, but I appreciate the intense interest which my noble friend has displayed, and is displaying, in this very important question. We shall most certainly keep him advised and give him any information he requires as and when it is available, because persistence of this type is very deserving of support from all quarters of the House.
Baroness VICKERSMy Lords, can the noble Lord say whether there has been any improvement in the protective clothing provided for people working with this material?
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYMy Lords, I have no evidence on protective clothing at the moment. The general position is that substitutes are being very closely examined because their effect may 877 be just as severe on individuals working with them as those of asbestos. Furthermore, as with brake-linings, for instance, again one has the problem that at the moment the substitute for brake-linings is not efficient, and not only may we have a further danger to workers, but we may even have a greater number of road accidents. I can assure the noble Baroness and the House that the whole question and ramifications as to the effect of asbestos, and the use of protective clothing and so on, are receiving very close and concentrated attention.