§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) in how many schools illness and discomfort have been caused to pupils and staff in schools where urea-formaldehyde foam insulation has been installed; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether advice and specialist help is available from his Department to local councils faced with problems of illness and discomfort for staff and pupils in schools where urea-formaldehyde foam insulation has been installed; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will consider advising local councils not to install area-formaldehyde foam insulation in schools until such times as remedies have been found to the health hazards which have arisen in schools where the material has been used.
§ Dr. BoysonInformation about the number of schools in which adverse effects have been experienced from urea-formaldehyde foam insulation is not centrally available. However, a number of instances have come to notice, and the Department wrote to local education authorities last year about the possibility of such effects and indicated some aspects to be taken into account if this type of insulation is contemplated. Studies being undertaken by the Building Research Establishment are being extended to include schools and in the light of the results further consideration will be given to any desirable action.