§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Health and Safety Executive's report identifying irregularities in the organisation of work involving asbestos substances on Her Majesty's dockyard and naval base, Rosyth.
§ Mr. Norman LamontOn 19 September 1985 a factory inspector from the Health and Safety Executive visited Rosyth naval base and made a number of observations about arrangements in the lagging shop hygiene facility which apparently did not meet the 85W standards laid down. Where necessary, work was immediately stopped in the affected areas. The facility has not been used since that time and alternative decontamination facilities have now been set up. The inspector reported more fully in writing on 24 October. This report also covered other areas of the base where asbestos had been handled. All the points covered by this report have either been dealt with or are the subject of discussions between the Health and Safety Executive and my Department as to how they can best be handled.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to inform the Health and Safety Executive in future when work involving asbestos substances is being carried out in Her Majesty's dockyard and naval base, Rosyth.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe Government regard matters concerning the health and safety of its employees as being of the utmost importance. Although there is no statutory requirement to inform the Health and Safety Executive when work involving asbestos substances is being carried out, it is my Department's policy to cooperate as fully as possible with the HSE in all such matters and officials at the naval base are discussing this with the executive.