§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on the discovery and programme of removal of asbestos in the main Library during the summer recess; on how many occasions asbestos contamination has been identified in the Palace of Westminster; and what risks to the health of the people working in the Palace are posed by asbestos.
§ Mr. BeithLike most older buildings, the Palace of Westminster contains asbestos, which was used for670W insulation purposes. Since it became known that exposure to asbestos dust can be dangerous the Parliamentary Works Directorate, and its predecessors, have sought to follow strictly the guidelines and procedures laid down by the Health and Safety Executive. An asbestos register is maintained recording the locations both where asbestos is known to remain—usually because it is inaccessible—and from which it has been removed; only firms on the approved list are used for asbestos removal work and the work is carried out in the approved manner.
It is the practice, whenever possible, to remove asbestos found when undertaking maintenance and other works services. As a result, the ceiling voids and floor spaces used for cables and other services are now clear of asbestos. The work carried out this summer, in connection with POLIS 3, was in areas which had not been cabled previously to any significant extent. Hence the discovery of a considerable amount of asbestos. The professional assessment is that the asbestos had not been disturbed for some considerable time, but should not therefore have presented any risks in the past or present any for the future. However, a full record has been made of the discoveries and will be kept on the register.