§ 12.48 p.m.
§ Baroness Noakes had given notice of her intention to move, That this House calls upon Her Majesty's Government to refer to an independent scientific inquiry, with full access to government papers and with powers to take evidence from Ministers and officials, the scientific evidence pertaining to white asbestos underlying the regulations laid before the House on 31st October (S.I. 2002/2675) and to invite the inquiry to report on the degree of risk to public health from white asbestos and the costs of implementing the regulations and to advise whether the risk justifies the likely costs of implementation; and asks Her Majesty's Government to give an undertaking that they will review the regulations in the light of the findings of the inquiry and report to Parliament not later than one year after the coming into force of the regulations.
The noble Baroness saidMy Lords, I echo the words of my noble friend Lord Onslow: this has been an excellent debate. There has not always been agreement in all parts of the House, but the debate has demonstrated the strength of the accumulated wisdom that resides here. I pay tribute to the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay, whose interesting and expert speech illuminated the subject for many of us.
The Minister knows that I intended to divide the House on this subject. I felt strongly that it merited further study. However, in the light of her speech, and 1261 particularly of the new evidence from Europe that she has undertaken to place in your Lordships' House, and with the assurance she has given to review the regulations in a year's time, we on these Benches are more than satisfied. I shall not be moving my Motion.