HC Deb 27 January 1997 vol 289 cc23-5W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many products containing white asbestos are imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [12685]

Mr. John M. Taylor

Data on the number of goods containing white asbestos that were imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years are not available.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much white asbestos was imported into the United Kingdom in bulk form in each of the last 10 years. [12684]

Mr. Taylor

Data on UK imports of white asbestos are given in the table:

UK imports of white asbestos
Quantity (metric tonnes) Value (£000)
1986 26,766 7,863
1987 23,865 6,188
1988 24,266 5,417
1989 19,702 5,757
1990 16,022 5,196
1991 11,248 3,272
1992 10,269 3,569
1993 9,681 3,715
1994 11,466 3,987
1995 10,164 3,958
January to August 1996 4,776 2,060
Source:
Overseas trade statistics of the United Kingdom with the World (including data for countries with the European Community), HM Customs and Excise.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the level of white asbestos in products manufactured in the United Kingdom. [12681]

Mr. Taylor

This information is not available from official statistics.