§ 2. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Minister of Labour what proposals he has for revising the Dock Regulations, 1934.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service (Mr. Robert Carr)This matter is under consideration and my officers are to discuss it with the Docks and Harbour Authorities' Association in the near future.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonWhen is "the near future" likely to be? Is the Minister aware that the Court of Appeal has expressed great concern about the ambiguity of Regulation 2 (b)? Is he also aware that apparently a number of dock authorities have ignored part of the Regulations for nearly fifty years, with consequent possible loss of life?
§ Mr. CarrI assure the hon. Member that the near future is within sight. The Docks and Harbour Authorities' Association has been considering the matter and had its final meeting yesterday. It will now be ready to meet my officers about the matter. I also assure the hon. Member that we are determined to do everything we can to secure a more satisfactory state of affairs.