HC Deb 04 November 1996 vol 284 cc328-9W
Mr. Ian McCartney

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the laboratories that are accredited by the national measurement accreditation service for the purposes of asbestos sampling. [1439]

Mr. Ian Taylor

Responsibility for the accreditation of laboratories was transferred in 1995 from DTI to the United Kingdom Accreditation Service—UKAS—an independent body which operates under a memorandum of understanding with the Government. I am informed by UKAS that over 30 laboratories are currently accredited for asbestos sampling. I have written to the hon. Member enclosing the addresses and other details concerning these laboratories.