§ Mr. Hawksleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if a Minister from his Department will meet a delegation of workers from COD Donnington to discuss the removal of asbestos from the office block at the depot before work starts.
§ Sir George YoungI do not think any useful purpose would be served by either myself or a Minister from the Ministry of Defence meeting a delegation from the workers at Donnington. There has already been the fullest consultation between the MOD management and PSA with the staff at COD Donnington and their trade union representatives.
The Health and Safety Executive has been closely involved and an independent assessment has been made by 301W the occupational health department of Birmingham University; both have confirmed that the work will not present a hazard to staff working within the building. Detailed safety precautions, which have been spelled out fully to the staff, will be written into the contract and rigidly applied by PSA.
I shall write to my hon. Friend and give him further details about the work involved.