Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to prevent the postage by retailers of Second World War gas masks containing asbestos.

The Royal Mail is responsible for the acceptance or otherwise of items to be carried by post and they have set out what they will accept, or not, in their publically available guide “Prohibitions and restrictions in the domestic and international post” published in July 2013. These rules ensure that specified low risk items can be transported safely through the UK postal network.

It clearly states that under certain conditions it is acceptable for samples of asbestos to be carried to UK destinations. Royal mail will not, however, accept asbestos under any circumstances for international carriage.

I will not be taking any additional steps to prevent the postage by retailers of Second World War gas masks containing asbestos.