§ Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the effects on public health of the fallout after the recent fire in the army warehouse at Donnington, Shropshire.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe are still discussing this incident with the Department of the Environment and the Ministry of Defence. I can, however, confirm that particles of material containing asbestos were found in the area and were removed by the Wrekin district council, which appears to have acted promptly and responsibly throughout. After many years, exposure to massive concentrations of asbestos fibres some industrial workers have developed asbestosis while lower levels of exposure have occasionally caused mesothelioma. However, I am advised that the risk to anyone in the area exposed to a fall of debris as a result of this fire is so very small as to be almost negligible.