Prime Minister to meet MP over asbestos concerns

Keen: PM Gordon Brown will meet with Paul Rowen to discuss Rochdale's asbestos issues

The Prime Minister has agreed to meet with Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, to discuss the dangers of asbestos in schools.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Gordon Brown said he is trying to eradicate asbestos related diseases, and would be happy to meet with Mr Rowen, along with a delegation of teaching unions, to discuss the matter further.

Save Spodden Valley campaigner Jason Addy welcomed the news. He said: “Paul Rowen's cross-party work on this important issue is very welcome, it could save untold lives.

“Exposure to asbestos in 2009 must be prevented. The victims and the deadly legacy of asbestos cancer must be respected”.

Paul Rowen asked the Prime Minister: “At their Easter conferences, two teachers unions passed motions expressing concern about the presence and safety of asbestos in schools. Would the Prime Minister be prepared to meet me and a delegation of those unions to discuss how those concerns may be allayed?”

“Asbestos is a killer disease and something that we are trying eradicate in this country. I would be very happy to meet the delegation that he suggests.” 

Mr Rowen said after Prime Minister’s Questions: “After my recent adjournment debate in Parliament, numerous MPs have communicated their concerns to me on the issue of asbestos in schools in their constituencies.

“Two leading teaching unions have expressed their concerns and said that failure to act would be tantamount to ‘murder’.

"I am also working with the Local Government Association to support the unions by organising an independent, professional, confidential survey of asbestos in schools.”