§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will encourage the fire brigades of local authorities to carry asbestos detectors on all occasions;
(2) whether he will issue guidance to fire brigades encouraging them to undertake comprehensive reviews of their procedures regarding asbestos contamination with respect to notifying the relevant local authority when asbestos contamination occurs following a fire.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIt is for fire authorities to acquire appropriate equipment and liaison arrangements are best determined locally in the light of particular circumstances; but the Department has issued guidance to fire authorities on the dangers from asbestos and how to minimise them. This guidance is kept under review and, as my right hon. and learned Friend has already announced, our officials will be discussing with all the relevant interests how it could best be supplemented following the hazards that arose from a recent fire in Cricklewood.