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Parliamentary Questions
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many answers to (a) written and (b) oral parliamentary questions have required correction by his Department in each of the past two years. [40631]
Mr. Gummer: This is a matter of public record.
International Reports
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy regarding the assessment of relevant reports jointly produced by the World Health Organisation, World Meteorological Organisation and United Nationals Environment Programme. [40780]
Mr. Clappison: The Department of the Environment always takes into account relevant reports prepared by these organisations.
Green Ministerial Meetings
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many green departmental meetings have been held since 26 July; what matters were (a) discussed and (b) decided; and when the next green ministerial meetings are planned. [40788]
Mr. Clappison: Government Departments' green contacts met on 18 September. They discussed and reached agreement on the draft agenda and the papers to be prepared for the next green Ministers meeting, which will be held on 28 October. Some green contacts met on 23 September to discuss the progress of a consultant's study to evaluate "Policy Appraisal and the Environment".
16 Oct 1996 : Column: 1054
Asbestos
Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to prohibit the use of asbestos in roof tiles. [41083]
Sir Paul Beresford: The Health and Safety Commission, in conjunction with my Department, will include the scope of asbestos prohibitions when reviewing the legislation. No doubt, asbestos-containing roof tiles will form part of this review. I will respond when this advice is received.
Mr. Ian McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake an evaluation of the effectiveness and independence of asbestos sampling companies. [41106]
Sir Paul Beresford: As part of the Health and Safety Executive's monitoring of the effectiveness of asbestos regulations, the HSE investigates the performances of asbestos sampling companies where appropriate. The Health and Safety Commission's approved codes of practice on asbestos strongly encourage employers to use laboratories that are accredited by the national measurement accreditation service.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to ensure that companies introduce an asbestos control programme in their workplace buildings, along the lines of the Health and Safety Executive booklet, "Managing Asbestos in Workplace Buildings". [41104]
Sir Paul Beresford: This is being promoted though the "Good Health is Good Business" campaign and by the HSE field inspectors during visits to businesses.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake an evaluation of the safety of asbestos respirators. [41108]
Sir Paul Beresford: I refer the hon. Member to the HSE study "Workplace Effectiveness of Respiratory Protective Equipment for Asbestos Removal Work", published in July 1996.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will assess the advantages of introducing a ban on the use of white asbestos in British industry. [41103]
Sir Paul Beresford: Many uses of white asbestos are already prohibited. Whether or not the regulations should be extended will be a matter the Health and Safety Commission will consider in its current review of the legislation on asbestos. I will consider its recommendations carefully.
Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake a study of the best methods of asbestos removal and sealing techniques. [41107]
Sir Paul Beresford: I do not intend to carry out such a study. The Health and Safety Executive already keeps under review the available techniques for asbestos removal and sealing, and issues guidance as appropriate. For example, HSE inspectors require all those undertaking asbestos removal operations to use controlled wet removal techniques unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so.
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Mr. McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake an evaluation of the effectiveness of the asbestos licensing scheme. [41105]
Sir Paul Beresford: The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 have been subject to two reviews by the Health and Safety Commission. These reviews found that the regulations have been effective and were working well.
The Health and Safety Commission has also recently completed public consultation on a discussion document which outlined some possible adjustments to the licensing regime. The commission will be considering the results of the consultation, and I will examine any proposals the commission might subsequently make for amendments to legislation.
Mr. McCartney:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake an evaluation of the value and purpose of medical examinations for workers who are currently or were previously exposed to asbestos. [41109]
Sir Paul Beresford:
I do not intend to carry out such an evaluation. The Health and Safety Commission keeps under review the need for specific provisions of health and safety legislation. [41109]
Mrs. Helen Jackson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many applications for drought orders have been (a) accepted and (b) refused in each of the past 10 years; [40880]
(2) if he will list the drought (a) orders and (b) permits refused in each of the last 10 years. [40881]
| Applications received | Orders made(28) | Applications withdrawn | Orders refused | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1988 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1989 | 118 | 89 | 27 | 2 |
| 1990 | 69 | 65 | 4 | -- |
| 1991 | 33 | 28 | 4 | 1 |
| 1992 | 19 | 16 | 3 | -- |
| 1993 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1994 | 2 | -- | 2 | -- |
| 1995 | 61 | 53 | 8 | -- |
| 1996 | 46 | 40 | 5 | 1 |
(28) A considerable number of the orders were made subject to conditions or amendments either at the recommendation of an Inspector (where a hearing was held) or the Environment Agency (formerly the National Rivers Authority).
The applications for drought orders which have been refused are as follows:
16 Oct 1996 : Column: 1056
South West Water Authority (Burrator Reservoir)(Drought) Order--refused 15 August 1989
South West Water Authority (River Erme)(Drought) Order--refused 1 September 1989
South West Water Services Ltd. (River Axe)(Drought) Order--refused 1 July 1991
North West Water Ltd. (River Lune)(Drought) Order--refused 12 February 1996
Powers for the Environment Agency to authorise drought permits came into effect on 1 April 1996. As at 15 October 1996, 12 permits have been authorised and none has been refused.
Water Pollution
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will request the Environment Agency to investigate the leakage of chlorinated solvents into water sources close to the Atomic Energy Authority's Harwell science and engineering centre in Oxfordshire.[40441]
Mr. Clappison: The Environment Agency is carrying out an investigation and remedial works are in hand.
Confederation for British Industry
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met the CBI's environment and health safety group; and what plans he has for further meetings. [40435]
Mr. Gummer: I keep in close contact with Roderick Paul, the chairman of the CBI's environment committee, through his membership of the UK Round Table on Sustainable Development. Senior officials from my Department also have regular meetings with the CBI's environment, health and safety group. The most recent meeting took place in August.
Geosphere-Biosphere Programme
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution departmental officials make to the global change newsletter of the international geosphere-biosphere programme; and if he will make a statement on the role of the geosphere-biosphere programme in respect of this policy on global climate changes. [40436]
Mr. Clappison: The global change newsletter reports research carried out by the international geosphere biosphere programme core programmes to other researchers and the national and international policy community. In general, departmental officials do not contribute to this newsletter. The UK contributes to the international geosphere biosphere programme through its nationally funded research programmes. Policy on climate change draws on a number of international scientific research programmes including those of the IGBP, largely through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's scientific assessments.
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