HC Deb 01 July 1985 vol 82 cc33-4W
Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many licences under the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 have been issued.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The number issued is 1,833.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what he attributes the large disparity in the number of enforcements of asbestos licensing regulations issued in the different Health and Safety Executive areas.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The number and nature of asbestos contracts for which a licence is required varies between Health and Safety Executive areas, and a similar level of enforcement activity in each area is not expected. Some contracts are of short duration and modest risk. Other more complex work, possibly associated with demolition, may call for increased attention. As a result of the asbestos (licensing) regulations and requirements to notify work with asbestos which have been a condition of most licences, enforcing authorities are now able to take into account knowledge of contractors' ability to strip asbestos competently, thus enabling inspectors to decide how much time they need to devote to particular sites.