§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now lift the moratorium on council spending to enable local authorities to remove asbestos from housing; an if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyAll local authorities were informed in a letter from the Department dated 3 December that the action requested by the Department's Circular 19/80 does not apply where legal liability may arise if expenditure is not incurred in respect of defects to existing premises and other specified matters.
A copy of this letter headed "Action to curb overspend of Housing Investment Programmes 1980–81" has been placed in the Library.