§ Lord O'HAGANasked Her Majesty's Government:
What EEC legislation affects the use of asbestos; whether the provisions of national legislation in the Member States affecting asbestos are identical; and what measures of harmonization they now propose.
Lord WALLACE of COSLANYI am informed that at the present time there is no European Economic Community legislation affecting the use of asbestos and legislation concerning asbestos in the Member States is not identical.
The EEC are currently considering an action programme on safety and health under which directives will be prepared, designed to bring about a degree of 672WA harmonization on matters including the measurement and analysis of asbestos in air, prohibition of the use of certain dangerous fibers and processes where adequate control is not possible, technical measures necessary to reduce exposure of workers to asbestos in cases where the use of asbestos is essential, the development of suitable alternative materials and medical supervision.