§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of evidence which has been sent to him about the level of lead in children's playground equipment, if he will make special funds available to local authorities to phase out play equipment with a high lead level; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveDOE circular 22/82 drew attention to the problems posed by high-lead paint, suggested possible remedies, and advised that low lead be specified for playground equipment wherever technically possible. It is for local authorities to decide how best to proceed in their local circumstances, and we would generally expect costs to be met within existing expenditure targets.