§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on his present assessment of the dangers of asbestos materials;
(2) if he will issue guidance to Government Departments and local authorities on the dangers of asbestos materials.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe report of the Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on asbestos, published in 1979, provides an overall assessment of the dangers of asbestos materials; action on the recommendations relating to environmental exposure is in hand or under consideration. I shall keep the matter under review and issue further guidance if necessary.