§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what inquiry the Health and Safety Executive has conducted into the asbestos removal industry; what its conclusions were; and what plans there are for a further inquiry. [23718]
§ Mr. OppenheimThe Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, which require contractors to obtain a licence from the Health and Safety Executive to carry out work removing asbestos, have been subject to two reviews. The reviews found that the regulations have been effective in improving the standards of performance of asbestos removal contractors, and that the regulations are working well in practice. No further review is currently considered necessary. HSE's field inspection programmes for 1994–95 and 1995–96 include increased visit targets for asbestos contractors' sites.