There was a post comment elsewhere about the "banning" of lead based solders under the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Legislation (RoHS) from June 2006 - which I cant find again, even with the search engine facility.
Lead-free solders look like they need hotter temperatures and longer heating time to make them flow and wet the surface. As my cack-handed soldering tends to destroy componants even at the old-fashioned 180 degrees C, I darent risk lead-free at 240 degrees.
It appears though that the personal use of lead based solders is not banned, just the commercial use of the stuff. 64/40 lead solders are still available and I have "stocked-up" (Try a very large company with initals beginning "R S --------"........... I still remember them as "Radio Shack":- that must date me
)
As I have used approx 15g of solder over the last 10 years, I reckon that another 100g will "see me out".