§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the European Commission to ratify the decision of the Technical Committee to allow member states which have not already done so to impose restrictions on the importation of white asbestos and products that contain the material; and if he will make a statement. [89053]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 29 June 1999]: The Government are determined to apply further necessary restrictions to the importation, marketing and use of white asbestos. I have received advice from the Health and Safety Commission about those new restrictions in the form of draft regulations. I will act on that advice as soon as the European Commission has ratified the vote of their technical committee to adapt to technical progress Council Directive 76/769/EEC. I am hopeful that this ratification will not be subject to any unnecessary delay. The UK continues to encourage the European Commission to act swiftly on this vitally important measure.