Supplementary to Question No. 6 on 12.3.86
Mr. HO
: Sir, in view of what has been said by the secretary,
it seems that it is a false alarm to the public on this particular
issue. Could the secretary confirm that there is in fact no need
Com
to do anything on existing buildings rather than that nothing, be done.
on existing buildings at the moment?
When the
Secretary for Lands and Works: Sir, we have last year set up a working
party to monitor the situation in Government buildings.
working party reports shortly we will then be able to better assess
Probably the problem is not serious enough to warrant
the situation.
further action.
Prof. Poon: Sir, I am afraid that the mere control of future usage
of friable asbestos materials may not be good enough. Has Government
any plan to keep under control the removal or replacement of thermal
lagging or sprayed acoustic plaster which I believe will also pose
very high risk as health hazards to workers?
Secretary for Lands and Works: Sir, the new regulations will lay down
methods for removing asbestos materials, so workers will be safe.
As regards existing buildings that contain other types of asbestos-
related materials, as I said we are awaiting the report of the working
party on the study of existing Government buildings before we take
further action.