PO Box 26 Enfield Middlesex EN1 2NT Tel:Fax 020 8360 6413 Mesothelioma is caused by all types of asbestos blue, brown and white.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, as Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, signed on 24th August 1999, Statutory Instruments 1999 Number 2373 which bans, from 24th November 1999, the importation, supply and use in Great Britain, of White Asbestos.

Michael Clapham MP, Chairman of the Commons All Party Occupational Safety and Health Group, tabled an Early Day Motion:

That this House congratulates the government for banning the importation, supply and use of White Asbestos in the UK from 24th November; and welcomes the contribution this will make to improved health and safety in the construction industry.

Welcoming the new regulations, Sir Frank Davies, until recently Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission which announced in 1997 that it intended to secure the ban, said: "We have worked long and hard to secure a ban" and also "banning the supply of second-hand asbestos products will put a stop to a trade which would have presented a risk to workers for decades to come".

Nancy Tait comments:

I have worked for this ban for 30 years. It completes that already applied to Blue and Brown Asbestos in 1985. We will all benefit, not only those in the construction industry.

Few people tackling such a difficult issue see success in their lifetime. Originally I was the only person in the UK to challenge claims that Chrysotile is safe. There has been 3 years delay and worrying reports of Canadian Government determination that Chrysotile should not be banned.

I welcome the BAN and am very relieved that it is at last on the Statute Book and we can now direct our efforts to help asbestos lung cancer victims and publicise criticisms of lung fibre count techniques.

O E D A

• Was amongst the pioneers who first drew attention to asbestos problems and risk.
• Played a crucial role in making the public aware that Asbestos is a major Environmental Hazard.
• Continues to pioneer in this field by urging the Government to:
• Require that asbestos is removed or made safe where it is polluting a building.
• Give financial help to local authorities, private tenants and owner-occupiers to meet the cost of its work.