§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will(a) undertake a survey of all public buildings and (b) maintain a database to indicate the presence and location of asbestos in the United Kingdom and if he will make a statement. [33650]
§ Mr. ClappisonA survey of asbestos in public buildings will not be undertaken. Instead, Government Departments are working together to raise public awareness of the risks of exposure to asbestos and the need for sound management of asbestos materials in all buildings. The Department of the Environment gives advice on surveying buildings for asbestos and its subsequent management within the guidance document "Asbestos Materials in Buildings", which was first published in 1983 and has been regularly updated. This guidance is aimed at building owners, managers and local authorities. The Health and Safety Executive also issues guidance to owners and employers on the management of asbestos in buildings. It advises that employers should locate, identify and keep a record of all asbestos in their premises and ensure that all workers/contractors who are likely to work on it are aware of its presence.
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§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if asbestos may still be used for gutters; and if he will make a statement. [33651]
§ Mr. ClappisonWhite asbestos incorporated into asbestos cement may still be used to make gutters. In practice, other materials are now more commonly used.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the current permitted uses for asbestos in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [33652]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe use of asbestos in the United Kingdom is controlled by the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 and the Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993. These regulations prohibit the marketing and use of all forms of amphibole asbestos, which includes blue and brown asbestos, and many uses of white, chrysotile, asbestos. Further limitations on the use of white asbestos are contained within the Asbestos Products (Safety) Regulations 1985. Uses of white asbestos which are not specified in any of these regulations are permitted, although in practice the most common use is in asbestos cement and heavy bearing materials such as gaskets.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the use of asbestos for gutters. [33653]
§ Mr. ClappisonNo assessment has been made specifically of the use of asbestos in gutters. However, a more general assessment of the uses of, and exposure to, asbestos in the non-workplace environment is currently being performed on behalf of this Department. The results of this work will be published early next year.