§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Trade what tonnage of unprocessed asbestos has been imported into the United Kingdom in each year since 1963: and what safeguards apply to the importation of all types of asbestos.
§ Mr. MeacherThe protection and safety of people at work are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment, but persons involved in the importation of asbestos or liable to be affected by such work activities are safeguarded by the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Imports of crude and waste asbestos have been as follows:
Thousand tonnes 1963 … … … 160.1 1964 … … … 186.6 1965 … … … 178.9 1966 … … … 192.4 1967 … … … 170.0 1968 … … … 178.3 1969 … … … 179.9 1970 … … … 154.6 1971 … … … 167.8 1972 … … … 150.3 1973 … … … 198.1 1974 … … … 153.0 1975 … … … 139.2 1976 … … … 144.9 1977 … … … 127.2 1978 … … … 117.8 Source: United Kingdom Overseas Trade Statistics, SITC(R1) Sub-Group 276.4 and SITC(R2) Sub-Group 278.4.