§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what grants are available to local authorities which find themselves with (a) council housing and (b) other council property, containing dangerous amounts of asbestos.
§ Sir George YoungFunds are not made available specifically for the removal of asbestos from local authority buildings, but rate support grant is paid in support of authorities' revenue expenditure generally, including expenditure on asbestos. When council housing is involved, expenditure that has been considered by Department under the project control system would be eligible for Exchequer subsidy.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what Government financial help is available to local authorities faced with the problem of asbestos in post-war prefabricated buildings; what advice 339W he is giving to local authorities faced with this problem; whether removal or recovering are recommended; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungFinancial assistance is not available specifically for work on asbestos in local authority buildings, but such work is one of the factors which can be taken into account in consideration of local authority finance generally. A guidance note on asbestos materials in buildings was published by the Department of the Environment in August 1983 and copies were sent to all local authorities in England and Wales. It is at present being updated and will be republished later this year.
The Department advises that asbestos material which is damaged or releasing dust should be removed, but asbestos materials in good condition can be left in place and sealed or enclosed.