asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department and the Building Research Establishment are carrying out any research of their own, separate from that commissioned by the Woodwool Slab Manufacturers Association, into the use of woodwool as formwork for concrete floors, following the recent incident at the Inland Revenue offices at New Malden; and whether he will make a statement.

My Department is looking into the use of woodwool formwork for concrete floors. Present evidence suggests that, although in certain circumstances it can give rise to defects, these are not likely to be such as to cause an immediate risk to safety.