§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement concerning his Department's activity aimed to lessen the injurious effects of asbestos-based production in the United Kingdom since the resolution of the House of 22 October 1981.
§ Mr. WaddingtonSince the resolution of the House of 22 October 1981, officials continue to seek agreement in Brussels on the text of the European Community draft122W Directive concerning restrictions on the marketing and use of asbestos, and the directive on the protection of workers from the risks arising from exposure to asbestos, with a view to the adoption of these directives as soon as possible.
In the meantime, the Health and Safety Executive is continuing its work to implement those recommendations of the advisory committee on asbestos which are not affected by negotiations on these directives. They are, of course, continuing to enforce current legislation at workplaces where exposure to asbestos may occur.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment how his Department proposes to assess and possibly implement each of the principal findings and proposals of the world symposium on asbestos held in Montreal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonI understand that the intention of the world symposium on asbestos was to provide an international forum at which the viewpoints of science, medicine, industry, labour, and competent authorities could be expressed to facilitate an extensive evaluation of the risks and benefits of asbestos and the necessary control measures.
Many and varied opinions were presented on these issues. At first sight there is nothing in the papers presented which suggests that any of the recommendations of the advisory committee on asbestos are invalid or need modification. Nevertheless the report of the proceedings will be carefully studied to see whether any of the recommendations need to be reviewed in the light of the information presented at the conference.