§ Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the consultations with the Health and Safety Executive and Dumbarton district council referred to in the answer of the hon. Member for Ealing, Acton (Sir G. Young) to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) of 2 July, Official Report, column 97, regarding asbestos removed from the construction site at Faslane have now been completed; if he continues to plan to decontaminate the site without removing the asbestos from it; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThese consultations have been completed and a contract has been let by the Property Services Agency to decontaminate the site without removing from it any of the asbestos waste, including that collected last year under the phase 1 contract. Work will start on 3 February. Separate consideration is still being given to action as necessary to deal with asbestos on the loch bed. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) on 6 June 1985 at column207.