§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on the number of court actions against companies operating in the United Kingdom for infringements of the existing anti-asbestos legislation in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Health and Safety Executive is committed to ensuring that all work with asbestos is carried out safely and that other people affected by the work are not put at risk. Inspectors take whatever action is appropriate to ensure that those responsible comply with their duties under the legislation to prevent or reduce exposure to asbestos.
Details of court action taken under asbestos legislation during the past five years follows:
Years from 1 April Informations laid Convictions Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 1987–88 32 27 1988–89 14 13 1989–90 14 7 1990–91 7 7 1991–92 8 7 Asbestos Regulations 1969 (Revoked on 1 March 1988) 1987–88 14 8 1988–89 4 3 Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 (Came into force 1 March 1988) 1988–89 21 21 1989–90 63 58 1990–91 57 48 1991–92 48 40 Asbestos (Prohibitions) (Amendment) Regulations 1988 1989–90 1 nil Notes: No other prosecutions were brought under these Regulations. Figures relate to Great Britain. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for the Northern Ireland asbestos regulations.