Rowen raises continuing use of asbestos in Parliament

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) on the continuing use of asbestos overseas.

The EDM raises awareness of the continued use of asbestos in the Third World. It also requests that the Government works with the International Labour Organisation to ensure the implementation of the Convention Concerning Safety in the Use of Asbestos 1986 and the United Nations Environment Programme regarding the Stockholm Convention on Persistent and Organic Pollutants.

Paul Rowen said: “I hope that our Parliament can use their expertise on the dangers of asbestos and work with third world countries so that they learn the lessons that we have had to.

"Rochdale residents were shocked in August to find out that the looms and carding machines once worked at the Spodden Valley factory by Rochdalians were sold to India and Pakistan and are now being used there.

"MPs from all three parties have now signed the motion, over 30 MPs have currently pledged support.

"It was at the launch of Geoffrey Tweedale and Jock McCulloch’s book, “Defending the Indefensible: The Global Asbestos Industry and Its Fight for Survival” that it came to light that for over 30 years asbestos companies had misled the public on the dangers of asbestos.

"I hope by that bringing attention to what’s happening in Pakistan, China and India, we can prevent the tragedies and death that happened here in Rochdale.”

Paul Rowen, will be raising this issue at the next meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Asbestos Group later this month.