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<p>Owing to its historic nature, asbestos deposits are present within the Palace of
Westminster. The Parliamentary Estates Directorate operates an Asbestos Management
Plan which it uses to safely manage asbestos across the whole of the parliamentary
estate, in full compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.<br><br>During
the successful installation of new, modern equipment in the plant room that supplies
the Chamber and adjacent offices, a series of asbestos reassurance tests have been
carried out. Traces of asbestos were recently found in the ventilation trunking, but
extensive sampling at the vents has provided very high confidence that it is not becoming
airborne.<br><br>Professor R J Willey, Managing Director of ACS Physical Risk Control
Ltd has undertaken an urgent review of the evidence, and concluded: “It is my considered
Opinion that, after the discovery, proper procedures were timeously followed. Detailed
investigation of the results of air tests taken, over a considerable period following
the discovery, show quite conclusively that there was negligible risk to any persons
supplied with air from the duct system. Providing current conditions are maintained,
there will be negligible risk to any persons supplied with air in the future from
the duct system.”<br><br>The Commission and the House authorities regard the safety
of Members, staff and the visiting public as their highest priority. Steps have therefore
been taken to ensure that the ventilation system is not disturbed in any way. Steps
will also be taken to eradicate the asbestos in the trunking by the end of 2015, but
in the meantime we are content with this authoritative advice that there is no reason
to stop using the Chamber, or the adjacent offices and spaces.</p>
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