§ Miss Melanie JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 April 1998,Official Report, column 552, if he will list the Government departments, industry representatives and technical and design experts with whom consultations on publicising the dangers of lead in painted surfaces have taken place. [40031]
§ Angela EagleThe Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has attempted to strike a balance between obtaining sufficient advice and being in a position to publicise the dangers of lead in paint and provide updated information to the public at the earliest opportunity. We do not consider that the consultations which we have so far conducted are exhaustive and we will continue to consult widely on risks from lead in all media as part of our strategic review of chemicals in the environment.
To date, the other Government Departments which we have consulted on the dangers of lead in painted surfaces have been the Departments of Health and of Trade and Industry, the Health and Safety Executive and English Heritage.
In addition, we have consulted the British Coatings Federation, which incorporates the Paint Makers Association, and certain individual paint manufacturers, including ICI. Further consultation with the Consumers Association, the Paint Research Association, the Lead Awareness Group, the Association of Painting Craft Teachers, and the Construction Industry Training Board has been conducted on the Department's behalf by the Building Research Establishment.
The Portable Electric Tool Manufacturers' Advisory Panel have been made aware that consultations were being undertaken, but have not so far contributed. Some discussions have also been held with Local Authorities.
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 April 1998,Official Report, columns 551–52, if he will list the representations he has received in the 12 months prior to October 1997 on the dangers of lead in painted surfaces. [40032]
§ Angela EagleIn the 12 months prior to October 1997, the Department received no individual representations from Members of Parliament on lead in paint. In the same period, the Department received five private inquiries from members of the public on the same topic.