§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue a circular to local authorities advising them to cease using asbestos-based building materials in new buildings, modernisation, rehabilitation and maintenance work; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreesonI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Cryer) on 25th May—[Vol. 912, c. 179–80]—about the investigation being undertaken by the committee set up under the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission to consider any risks arising from the use of asbestos. I cannot at this stage add to what I said then. It would be premature to consider banning the use of asbestos-based building materials until more is known, but on present evidence the circumstances in which there might be a risk to the occupants of buildings incorporating this material appear to be limited, and, of course, there are strict controls on operations involving the working with asbestos under the Asbestos Regulations 1969, made by the Department of Employment, and where these Regulations do not apply equivalent standards are enforced under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.