§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley on 10 November, Official Report, c. 217, what action has been taken as a result of the visits to the Cairnryan shipbreaking yard in 1983.
§ Mr. GummerThe action taken following the visits to the Cairnryan shipbreaking site in 1983 has included the serving of two prohibition notices and the submission of a report to the procurator fiscal. Eight letters have been sent to the employers at the site and six to their employees or their representatives.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether any approaches have been made by the environmental health department of Wigtown district council for help, information and advice in dealing with any aspect of health and safety at the Cairnryan shipbreaking yard; and what has been the result.
§ Mr. GummerNo specific approaches have been made to the Health and Safety Executive by Wigtown district council regarding information and advice about aspects of health and safety at the site, though there have 549W been periodic discussions on a number of matters, including waste disposal, between the council and the executive.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will establish an inquiry into allegations of improper and unsafe handling of asbestos over a 10-year period at the shipbreaking yard at Cairnryan.
§ Mr. GummerNo. The concern of the Health and Safety Executive is to ensure that the employer and any contractors at the yard are now complying fully with their legal obligations.