§ Mr. SummersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to reduce the amount of lead in the environment by reducing the proportion of lead that any product may contain.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Government's policy is to reduce man's exposure to lead wherever reasonably practicable. To this end, a number of measures have already been taken in the form of reductions in the amount of lead in petrol and encouragement in the use of unleaded petrol. Already in 1992 regulations to restrict the use of certain lead compounds in paints have been laid before Parliament. Further regulations to restrict the use of lead solders are currently being drafted. The Government are also continuing discussions with relevant bodies at both 63W national and international level with the aim of identifying where additional measures to reduce man's exposure to lead are viable.