HC Deb 06 June 1985 vol 80 cc245-6W
Ms. Clare Short

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current average cost, excluding the cost of land, of new public sector houses being built in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Chris Patten

The overall averge tender cost of new Housing Executive dwellings in 1984–85 was £21,640. The average figure for Belfast was about £23,620.

Ms. Clare Short

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is satisfied with the precaution taken during the recent demolition of two blocks in the Divis flats, to ensure that asbestos was properly disposed of.

Mr. Chris Patten

Before demolition of the Whiehall and Farset blocks the Housing Executive had discussions with the Health and Safety inspectorate, medical authorities and the environmental health department of Belfast city council.

The strict guidelines of the Health and Safety inspectorate were followed in the removal of asbestos prior to demolition and the inspectorate monitored the work. Once the material was properly disposed of, air samples were taken by the industrial science division of the Department of Economic Development during the work and were found to have no asbestos content.