§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the use of polystyrene as a lining and insulation material in the building industry.
§ Mr. FreesonI assume that my hon. Friend is concerned with the safety aspects of the use of polystyrene. I am satisfied that the use of polystyrene in a building in a way that meets the requirements of the Building Regulations is not a danger to the occupants.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he regards as satisfactory the fire regulations covering the construction stage of a building in which polystyrene is used.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI have been asked to reply. The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission has advised me that the Construction (Working Places) Regulations 1966 require that there shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be suitable and sufficient safe access to and egress from every place at which any person at any time works and that such places shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be made and kept safe for any person working there. The Health and Safety Executive is aware of the fire risk from this material and the general advice contained in the relevant publication, Technical Data Note 29 (Revised) is being urgently reviewed in order to ensure its adequacy for the construction industry.