§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Environment what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution on the reduction of lead levels in paints available for household use and the accurate labelling of such paints with regard to their lead content.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe use of lead in paint has been declining for many years; some 73 per cent. of modern decorative paint contains no added lead, and almost all the remainder has less than 0.5 per cent. Before deciding whether to reduce levels further, as proposed by the Royal Commission, the Government wish to be sure of any effects on the durability and drying capability in the United Kingdom conditions of paint containing lower levels of lead. The Building Research Establishment and the Paint Research Association have research work in hand on this, and on the possible use of alternatives to lead as a drying agent. In the light of the results it should be possible to announce decisions on both lead levels and labelling within a few months.