Written question asked by Gerald Howarth (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 December 2004. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Monday, 13 December 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list the principal areas covered by departmental files contaminated by asbestos.

Answer: Mr. Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the principal areas covered by departmental files contaminated by asbestos. [199853] Mr. Caplin: Approximately 63,000 files were stored in the basement of the Old War Office Building where significant levels of asbestos contamination were identified. The basement area provided accommodation for three file stores: (1) the sensitive archive under the control of the Departmental Records Officer. This store provided accommodation for files from a wide number of branches across the Ministry of Defence, covering an equally wide range of administrative and operational subjects; (2) a Defence Intelligence Staff file store; and (3) a small store used by Air Historical Branch.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 199853; 428 c907W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Asbestos Archives Contamination Ministry of Defence Departmental records
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk