§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's annual budget is for removal of asbestos from Royal Navy vessels. [104319]
§ Mr. SpellarThere is no specific annual budget for the removal of asbestos from Royal Navy vessels as it is planned to undertake the majority of this work during scheduled maintenance periods and refits. However, it is estimated that the total cost of the programme to eliminate asbestos, wherever practicable, will be about £7.5 million. This includes the cost of replacement stocks.