Written question asked by Lady Hermon (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 6 July 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 July 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Monday, 12 September 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Asbestos

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of the removal of asbestos from (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Northern Ireland.

Answer: All the Education and Library Boards have now completed asbestos surveys of schools. Where necessary, work on the removal of asbestos is taking place over the summer period and I am advised by the Education and Library Boards that by the end of September 2005, all top priority asbestos will have been removed from both primary and post-primary schools. Where it is not necessary to remove the asbestos immediately, the Boards and other school authorities are responsible for managing the asbestos safely.

Secondary information