§ Mr. John Evansasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much crocidolite was used in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available; and in what products it was used.
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§ Mr. David Mitchell,pursuant to his repy [Official Report, 13 July 1979; Vol. 970, c. 326], gave the following answer
United Kingdom import and use of raw crocidolite fibre ceased in 1970, by which year imports had fallen to 635 tons. The use of this fibre was as a reinforcement in plastic battery cases. Although separate figures are not available for the import of the fibre other than in its crude form, it is thought that a very small amount of finished and semifinished products containing crocidolite is still imported, mainly yarn for use in packings.