HC Deb 25 July 1979 vol 971 cc334-6W
72. Mr. Booth

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied that British Railways, before commencing to use premises for the stripping of blue asbestos from railway carriages, complied with the regulations issued by the Department of the Environment indicating that statutory undertakers should ensure, be fore the proposals are finalised, that both planning authorities and the public know of proposals for permitted developments that are likely to affect them significantly.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The choice of location for premises used for the strip ping of blue asbestos from railway carriages is a matter for the British Railways Board. If permitted development is involved, British Railways, as a statutory undertaker, have agreed to observe the code of practice issued by the Department of the Environment. It is not for me to determine whether a proposal involves development as defined by the Town and Country Planning Act 1971; that is a matter for the local planning authority.

73. Mr. Bendall

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the public concern in respect of the use of a building owned by British Railways at their sidings in Ilford for asbestos stripping and the consequent danger to public health, he will cause a public inquiry to be held on the use of this building for this purpose.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

No. The railway inspectorate and the Health and Safety Executive have been consulted concerning this proposal and are both fully satisfied that the asbestos house meets all the requirements of the asbestos regulations 1969 and subsequent stringent safety regulations.

Monitoring of the activities of the depot, once it is brought into use, has been arranged to ensure that these requirements are maintained.

On behalf of the Secretary of State for the Environment I might add that if the use of the building constitutes development under the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, which is a matter for the local planning authority to determine, the case might come before him on appeal and an inquiry might be held under the planning Acts.