§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the tonnage of chrysotile asbestos imported into the United Kingdom in 1998; and if he will list the countries and the quantity involved. [80004]
§ Mr. WilsonChrysotile asbestos is not separately identified in the system under which United Kingdom trade is recorded. However, since 1986, trade in all other forms of asbestos has been prohibited. The figures in the following table, therefore, relate to chrysotile asbestos.
UK imports of asbestos1 1998 Tonnes Canada 1,361 South Africa 268 Zimbabwe 193 Chile 18 USA 1 World total 1,841 1Asbestos is defined as code 278.4 of the Standard International Trade Classification, Revision 3, (SITC Rev 3). This does not include asbestos cement and manufactures containing asbestos. Source: