HC Deb 23 March 1998 vol 309 cc2-3W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which substitutes for Chrysotile the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment identified on 11 February as being more hazardous than Chrysotile. [35300]

Angela Eagle

The report the European commission presented to its Scientific Committee included a review of the main substitutes for white asbestos such as polyvinyalcohol, para-Aramid and cellulose fibres. The Scientific Committee's interim opinion was that insufficient evidence had been provided to justify a conclusion that substitute fibres had been proven to be safer. The Committee did not conclude they were more hazardous. Nor did it argue that the categorisation of Chrysotile Asbestos as a category 1 carcinogen was wrong.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with countries that have bans on Chrysotile concerning the lifting of such bans on the basis of the report by the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment. [35301]

Angela Eagle

There have been no discussions whatsoever about lifting existing bans on white asbestos.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many members there are on the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment; and how many of them are specialists in asbestos-related illness. [35302]

Angela Eagle

There are 15 members of the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment. Members are appointed by the European Commission as independent specialists. I understand that the European Commission considered the range of expertise necessary in making its appointments.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what toxicological effects other than those of Chrysotile were considered at the 11 February meeting of the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment; and if he will make a statement. [35303]

Angela Eagle

The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment has a wide remit. The meeting on 9 February considered several issues in addition to white asbestos and its substitutes.