DEATHS FROM ASBESTOS

Early day motion 448, tabled 17 March 1999 by Michael Clapham (Labour). Signed by 74 members.

That this House is gravely concerned to learn that the death rate in Western Europe from asbestos exposure will probably double in the next 20 years and that 250,000 people will die from asbestos-related diseases over the next 35 years, which means that 1 in 150 of men born between 1945 and 1950 are likely to die of mesothelioma according to Professor Peto's latest survey which is based on known rates of plural cancer in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Holland; is further concerned that the risk may not decline in the United Kingdom as swiftly as would otherwise be the case because of asbestos in public buildings and the fact that white asbestos is still being imported; and therefore urges the Government to introduce an audit of all public buildings and to introduce a unilateral ban on white asbestos and all products which contain it.

Signatures by party: Labour 55, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour/Co-operative 6, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.