§ Miss Melanie JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to publicise the dangers of lead in surfaces in houses painted before 1960 to(a) pregnant women, (b) carers of young children and (c) the general public; and when they will be implemented. [39310]
§ Angela EagleWe will shortly be publishing a revised leaflet on lead in paint which is intended to raise awareness of the associated dangers. The leaflet will provide accurate, readily assimilated information on the problems associated with old leaded paint and how to take effective safety measures. The intended audience will be the general public and the leaflet will be made widely available, but we will be discussing with the Department of Health appropriate means of bringing the leaflet to the attention of environmental health and health professionals, as well as providing more detailed information for these groups.
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the representations he has received on the dangers of lead in painted surfaces; and place a copy of the representations in the Library. [39308]
§ Angela EagleIn the six months from October 1997, the Department has received seventeen individual representations from Members of Parliament on lead in552W paint, of which eight were forwarded from other Government Departments. In the same period, the Department received ten private inquiries from members of the public on the same topic.
It would be inappropriate to list these representations or place copies in the Library.
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which organisations he has consulted about publicising and providing information for the public on the risks of lead in old paintwork; and when the consultation will be completed. [39311]
§ Angela EagleThe Department's own scientific and communications experts have liaised with other Government Departments, industry representatives and technical and design consultants in the provision of information to the public on the risks associated with lead in old paintwork.
The Department will continue to consult widely on risks from lead in all media, as part of the strategic overview of chemicals in the environment which it is conducting within the wider framework of the sustainable use of chemicals, as announced by the Deputy Prime Minister.