§ Tony CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to review Health and Safety Executive regulations on(a) blue, (b) brown and, (c) white asbestos. [41356]
§ Dr. WhiteheadI have no plans for a fundamental review of the asbestos regulations.
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has recently consulted on proposals to amend the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987, which govern work with all types of asbestos.
The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, which require most work with asbestos insulation, asbestos coating and asbestos insulating board to be carried out by an HSE licensed contractor, are soon to be subject to a routine periodic review by the HSC (next year). If amendments are proposed the HSC will consult upon them.
Proposals to amend The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992, which ban the marketing, supply and use of all types of asbestos, are currently being reviewed to consolidate them and ensure that they are fully consistent with EC Directives
Once the HSC has considered the results of any of these consultations they will put their proposals to me for consideration.