§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Employment if the Health and Safety Executive is satisfied that the asbestos protection regulations were followed at all times for all those who were working in the rubble of the Grand hotel, Brighton, recently; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI am satisfied that proper steps were taken to protect all those carrying out forensic investigations at the Grand hotel from the small quantity of airborne asbestos fibre that may have been present.
At the request of the police sifting debris from the bomb-damaged building a senior chemical inspector from the Health and Safety Executive identified asbestos and non-asbestos forms of insultation on pipework in part of the basement. He found that generally the insulation was sound but falling debris had damaged it in a few places. 882W Overalls and respirators approved for work with asbestos were subsequently worn by the police involved in the removal and sifting of rubble from the basement.