§ 29. Mrs. Maureen HicksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has of the number of local authority houses which have been identified as having sufficient asbestos content in their heating systems and service ducts to warrant remedial action.
§ Mrs. RoeThe joint central and local government working party on asbestos attempted to estimate the extent to which asbestos has been used in local authority properties, including its use in heating systems. The working party concluded that there was insufficient information for a meaningful estimate to be made. Furthermore, my Department and the working party take the view that the amount of asbestos is not an appropriate criterion for deciding on remedial action. Such actions should be based on an assessment of the condition of the asbestos and of its potential to release fibres. This can only be done locally and on a case by case basis.