§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about his discussions with the textured ceiling and wall coatings industry about the elimination of asbetos from their products; and when such elimination is expected.
§ Mr. FletcherIn November last year my Department asked the trade to eliminate asbestos from their produtcts as soon as possible. The brand leader stated that they had already done so and most of the other manufacturers reported that they had done so or were about to do so.
§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what publicity arrangements are being undertaken to warn of the hazard involved in stripping textured ceiling and wall coatings which contain asbestos; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FletcherCommercially textured ceiling and wall coverings containing asbestos may only be removed by contractors licensed by the Health and Safety Executive: such contractors must know the precautions to be taken. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has published a comprehensive booklet "Asbestos Materials in Buildings" which states that textured paint containing asbestos should never be sanded down, and that if it must be removed it should be thoroughly wetted in order to soften it and damp down any dust, and then scraped off. In addition, he has published a leaflet "Asbestos in housing" for mass circulation which advises householders not to rub down textured paint containing asbestos and that asbestos materials in good condition can be painted to prevent dust from escaping, 275W but that they should consult their environmental health department about removing large amounts of asbestos materials.