§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of 24 July, regarding policies of other European Economic Community countries regarding removal of asbestos from houses, if he will set out such information as he has as to the policies in other member states; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe Department's informal contacts with its counterparts in other Community countries indicate that the Governments concerned take differing views of the importance of asbestos as a hazard. The Department does not, however, possess detailed accounts of the various national policies on the specific supbject of removal of asbestos from housing.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of 24 July, regarding the level of white asbestos fibre in asbestos cement sheet, if he will define in precise numerical terms what he means by "very low"; and if he is satisfied that such material may be removed without specific safety precautions.
§ Sir George YoungAsbestos cement sheet which is intact and undisturbed does not release measurable amounts of fibrous dust and any risk is too low to define in precise numerical terms. Work with asbestos cement, including removal, can release dust and Health and Safety Commission guidance on work with asbestos must be followed.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why he does not plan to extend eligibility for home improvement grants to asbestos replacement; and if he will make a statement.
46W
§ Sir George YoungHome improvement grants are available for the replacement of asbestos where this is undertaken as part of a scheme of overall improvement or repair to the structure of substandard dwellings.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of 24 July, regarding houses likely to have asbestos injurious to health, if he will indicate the dates of the local authority surveys referred to; when he expects these to be completed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungSome initial surveys have been completed, other surveys are under way or planned. A joint central and local government working party is collecting and collating information available from completed surveys. It is hoped that preliminary results will be available by the end of this year.