I just wanted to thank all contributors on this thread.
While I wrote that I was not that interested in a discussion of the rights and wrongs of drilling through the asbestos based ceiling material, I am rather pleased it did.
Your 'collected' concerns spurred me into doing a little research which led me to the article below. And I have to admit that my previously blase attitude to this job has changed a little.
======= The Article ===============================
Q: I have an asbestos ceiling in my kitchen and I wish to drill some holes for a light fitting, the work will only take half an hour and as it seems excessive to have to use a licensed contractor I am going to do it myself. What precautions should I take?
A: Legally as the work will take less than one hour you do not have to use a licensed contractor although it is safest to use an expert such as a licensed contractor. You may also be in the situation that the ceiling is asbestos cement rather than a low-density board in which case you only need to use a competent contractor. If though you are going to do the work yourself, you should clear the room and ensure that no one enters whilst you are doing the work. You should wear a mask that is ?CE' marked to EN 149 with FFP3 particulate filters suitable for protection against asbestos and ensure that it is fitted as well as possible and wear disposable overalls with a hood. Lay polythene sheeting on the floor beneath where you are working and have to hand some damp disposable cloths. If possible gain access to the top of the ceiling boards and damp with a fine mist spray. Mark on the ceiling where the holes are to be drilled, over the marks place a blob of ready mixed wallpaper paste and drill through the blobs of wallpaper paste with the drill set on the slowest setting, ensuring that you are not directly beneath where you are drilling. Once the drilling is complete wipe the surface of the board you have drilled and your drill with damp cloths and place the cloths in a plastic bag. Fix your light fixing. Wipe everything down with damp cloths and place the cloths in plastic bags. Place the plastic bags with cloths in the polythene sheet and then place the polythene sheet and the plastic bags in another plastic bag. Take of your overalls and disposable mask and put into the plastic bag. Seal the bag and mark asbestos. This bag will now need to be disposed of as asbestos waste, with your local authority being able to advise you what arrangements they have for the disposal of DIY asbestos waste.