asked Her Majesty's Government:What further legislation is envisaged in the control of asbestos.

Three pieces of legislation are envisaged. First, regulations governing the licensing of work with asbestos insulation and asbestos coating are now being considered by the Secretary of State, and will be laid before Parliament shortly.Secondly, the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) have recently agreed the issue of a consultative document containing proposals for regulations to prohibit the importation, marketing and use of blue asbestos (crocidolite) and brown asbestos (amosite) together with products containing them, and to prohibit asbestos spraying and asbestos insulation. The consultative document will be published in the near future, and the aim is to introduce legislation by June 1984.Thirdly, substantial new legislation to implement the requirements of two recently adopted European Community directives on asbestos is in preparation. It is expected that HSC will issue a consultative document early next year, with a view to submitting draft regulations for the consideration of the Secretary of State by the end of that year.