§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision in the housing investment programme there is for renovation work involving, or required for, asbestos removal.
§ Sir George YoungHousing investment programme allocations are made as a single block to each authority. Amounts are not identified separately for asbestos removal in public or private sector housing. It is for individual local authorities to decide how best to use the resources available to them.
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§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much (a)blue/brown/white and (b)loose/cement types of asbestos have been used; and what asbestos types were commonly used in system-built housing.
§ Sir George YoungRecords of the types of asbestos and quantities of materials used in housing are not kept centrally. Asbestos-cement and asbestos insulation board were commonly used in some types of system-built housing.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much asbestos it is estimated has been installed in London, Southwark and the United Kingdom as a whole.
§ Sir George YoungRecords are not kept centrally of the quantities of asbestos installed by region. On the basis of the tonnages of asbestos used annually up to 1976 published in the report of the advisory committee on asbestos, and subsequent data, it is estimated that approximately 6 million tonnes of asbestos has been used for all purposes in the United Kingdom since 1900.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the local authorities which have ordered copies of "Asbestos in Housing", published by Her Majesty's Government; and how many copies have been ordered by (a) local authorities and (b) other bodies.
§ Sir George YoungCopies of the leaflet "Asbestos in Housing" were sent to all local authorities in England and Wales when it was first published. Full details have not been recorded of the local authorities and other organisations which have ordered additional copies. Approximately 75,000 copies had been requested by local authorities and other bodies in England and Wales up to 20 February 1984.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he plans to reprint or amend the pamphlet "Asbestos in Housing".
§ Sir George YoungThe leaflet will be reprinted when present stocks run out, and suggestions for amendments will be considered at that time.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the response from local authorities and other bodies as a result of the publication of "Asbestos in Housing".
§ Sir George YoungThe response to the leaflet `Asbestos in Housing' has in general been favourable and large numbers have been ordered by local authorities and other bodies. The Association of Metropolitan Authorities has criticised some aspects of the advice given in the leaflet and advised its members to consider carefully whether to distribute it. Some members of the association have decided not to do so.
§ Ms Harmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether expenditure on removal of asbestos can be included in respect of housing improvement grants.
§ Sir George YoungThe conditions under which home improvement grants are available are prescribed by statute. The replacement of asbestos could only be assisted with an improvement grant if it were part of a larger job in which, normally, 50 per cent. of the work was improvement as opposed to repairs. In addition, the local 41W authority would have to be satisfied that the replacement of asbestos was a 'repair' that led to an improvement in the condition of the house. Help would only be available with an intermediate grant if the repairs were carried out at the same time as the installation of a basic amenity. The removal of asbestos would only be eligible for a repairs grant if the work were considered by the local authority to be substantial and structural. Rateable value limits (£400 in London and £225 elsewhere) apply in most cases for improvement and repairs grants.