§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment was made, prior to a decision being taken on the future of the Divis flats, as to the number of houses which could be built on the site if all the blocks were demolished.
§ Mr. Chris PattenSince demolition was not considered to be appropriate no such assessment was made.
§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any survey has been made of possible risks to tenants' health from asbestos in the Divis flats.
§ Mr. Chris PattenNo special survey has been carried out. Most of the materials in communal areas in Divis flats have already been replaced with non-asbestos products as part of a prepaint repair scheme. In the event of existing materials becoming damaged and hence dangerous (for example, through vandalism), the replacement of the material with non-asbestos products is undertaken immediately.
§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has as to the estimated total cost of demolishing all the Divis flats.
§ Mr. Chris PattenNo such estimate has been made because total demolition was not considered to be appropriate.
§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost of the planned demolition of two blocks in the Divis flats and the refurbishment of the remaining blocks.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe information is £95,000 and £5½ million respectively.
§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost per flat of the proposed refurbishment of the Divis flats.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe estimated unit cost for the Milford block is between £11,000 and £12,000. This is the only block which is at present proposed for refurbishing.