§ Mr. Woodallasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied that all the asbestos found in the Chamber of the House of Commons in 1978 has been removed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungI am assured that after the work which was undertaken in 1978 to remove asbestos there is no danger of fibres escaping into the atmosphere. The small quantities of asbestos possibly remaining in inaccessible areas have either been sealed or are of a non-fibrous nature. This residue could only be removed at considerable cost and disruption to the heating system for the House. The air in and around the Chamber was sampled for asbestos fibres at periodic intervals for some 12 months after the work was done in 1978, and ceased only when fibres were no longer found. The residual amounts in the roof space will be removed when major works are next carried out in that area.