§ Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to monitor the removal, transportation, storage and disposal of asbestos waste.
§ Mr. GummerThe removal, transportation and storage of asbestos waste is controlled by the Asbestos Regulations 1969, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and a supporting approved code of practice on work with asbestos insulation and asbestos coating. In addition, the Asbestos Regulations 1969 require notification of any work involving blue asbestos.
The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, which come into force on 1 August 1984, will bring work involving asbestos removal under even tighter control. Under these regulations, most work involving the removal 706W of asbestos insulation and asbestos coating will either have to be carried out by a licensed contractor or be notified to the appropriate enforcing authority.
Responsibility for waste disposal lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and is controlled by the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and associated regulations.
Enforcement and monitoring are carried out by the appropriate authorities as part of their programme of inspection in accordance with their system of priorities.