§ 20. Lieut.-Commander Baldockasked the Minister of Labour whether he will accelerate the introduction of safety regulations for divers on civil engineering works, with special consideration to telephone communication with the surface.
Mr. LeeA preliminary draft code of safety, health and welfare regulations for various kinds of civil engineering works was published this year, and I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. Draft Regulations Nos. 80 and 83 deal with this subject. Consultations with the various bodies concerned will necessarily take some time, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that there will be no unreasonable delay.
§ Lieut.-Commander BaldockWill the Minister promulgate these Regulations as quickly as possible, paying particular attention to the question of telephone communication with the surface? Is he aware that only last week a most distressing accident occurred to a diver, employed by British Railways at Holy-head, who had to cut off his own fingers to release himself from a trap, and that this accident could have been avoided if he could have spoken by telephone to the surface?
Mr. LeeWe wish to help these gallant men in any way possible, and we will expedite the matter accordingly.