Asbestos (Hansard, 17 June 1986)

§ Mr. Parry
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if Her Majesty's Government has any plans to finance safe asbestos removal programmes in the Province;
(2) if he has any plans to introduce legislation further to control asbestos pollution in the Province; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what representations he has received asking him to introduce legislation to control asbestos pollution; and if he will make a statement.

§ Dr. Boyson
The Government have no plans to finance an asbestos removal programme. It is proposed to introduce subordinate legislation for Northern Ireland later this year to bring atmospheric pollution from specified industrial processes involving asbestos under the control of the alkali and radiochemical inspectorate. It is also planned to introduce new regulations. supported by an approved code of practice, for the control of asbestos at work. These will implement the EC directives on asbestos and will provide further protection for employees and others from health risks arising from work with asbestos. No representations regarding legislation on asbestos have been received.

§ Mr. Parry
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have died from asbestos-related diseases in the Province in each of the past five years.

§ Mr. Needham
The information is as follows:

Deaths from Asbestos Related Diseases

Number

1981 12

1982 10

(b) Of the EEC sources listed below. ESF provides assistance towards the cost of vocational training and job creation schemes. The others provide funds for capital investment in infrastructure or industry (including Agriculture). The figures given are actual payments from these sources.

Calendar year European Social Fund (ESF) £ million European Regional Development Fund £ million European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund £ million European Investment Bank (Loans) £ million Urban Renewal Regulation £ million Total £ million

1976 12.0 7.2 1.6 17.6 — 38.4

1977 7.7 6.4 2.3 18.5 — 34.9

1978 13.5 4.0 0.8 — — 18.3

1979 21.9 16.0 0.8 52.3 — 91.0

1980 21.2 21.0 3.1 49.0 — 94.3

1981 26.3 16.5 2.1 6.0 — 50.9

1982 35.6 18.0 2.3 0.3 — 56.2

1983 34.9 13.5 3.1 13.9 ^*14.9 80.3

1984 24.3 16.9 1.3 12.5 ^*14.2 69.2

1985 23.0 17.4 2.9 5.9 ^*23.3 72.5

Total 220.4 136.9 20.3 176.0 52.4 606.0

^* Financial years

(c) Investment in capital projects by the public sector in Northern Ireland is as follows:

Financial Year £ million

1976–77 370

1977–78 376

516W

Number

1983 14

1984 17

1985 11

(b) Of the EEC sources listed below. ESF provides assistance towards the cost of vocational training and job creation schemes. The others provide funds for capital investment in infrastructure or industry (including Agriculture). The figures given are actual payments from these sources.
Calendar year	European Social Fund (ESF) £ million	European Regional Development Fund £ million	European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund £ million	European Investment Bank (Loans) £ million	Urban Renewal Regulation £ million	Total £ million
1976	12.0	7.2	1.6	17.6	—	38.4
1977	7.7	6.4	2.3	18.5	—	34.9
1978	13.5	4.0	0.8	—	—	18.3
1979	21.9	16.0	0.8	52.3	—	91.0
1980	21.2	21.0	3.1	49.0	—	94.3
1981	26.3	16.5	2.1	6.0	—	50.9
1982	35.6	18.0	2.3	0.3	—	56.2
1983	34.9	13.5	3.1	13.9	^*14.9	80.3
1984	24.3	16.9	1.3	12.5	^*14.2	69.2
1985	23.0	17.4	2.9	5.9	^*23.3	72.5
Total	220.4	136.9	20.3	176.0	52.4	606.0
^* Financial years

(c) Investment in capital projects by the public sector in Northern Ireland is as follows:
Financial Year	£ million
1976–77	370
1977–78	376