§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Lord Privy Seal if any assessment has been made of the risk from asbestos to hon. Members and staff who are working in St. Stephen's House during the reconstruction of the buildings on Bridge street; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WakehamI am advised by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Chope), that all known asbestos was removed from the Bridge street phase I site before work started on the main contract in June. Subsequently two further areas of asbestos have been discovered. They were sealed off immediately. One has been dealt with and the other is receiving attention now. All the work has been carried out in accordance with regulations based on the report of the Health and Safety Executive asbestos working group. Air counts in the areas showed readings below the minimum safety level.
I am satisfied on the evidence that there has been no risk to the occupants of St. Stephen's House.