§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence and representations he has received that the health and safety of passengers on the London Underground is threatened by asbestos dust; and what action has been taken.
§ Mr. William RodgersI have been asked to reply.
A number of representations have been received questioning whether the health and safety of passengers on the London Underground is threatened by asbestos dust, but these have not been supported by factual evidence. Levels of asbestos dust in the underground have been regularly monitored during the past 24 years. The amount recorded in the tunnels, trains and stations is extremely small and the highest concentrations found have been many times below the occupational exposure levels currently used by the Health and Safety Executive. In view of these findings no further action has been necessary; the monitoring will of course continue.