HC Deb 25 October 1956 vol 558 cc804-5
14. Mr. Hastings

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation giving him power to make regulations for the purpose of preventing accidents to window cleaners and of ensuring the continued efficiency of precautionary apparatus used by them.

Major Lloyd-George

Under the tentative proposals for legislation on health, welfare and safety in non-industrial employment which have been circulated to interested organisations, there would be power to make regulations to promote the safety of persons employed in a wide range of non-industrial places of work. I cannot say at present whether it will be practicable to make regulations covering window cleaners specifically.

Mr. Hastings

On whom does the coming into force of the regulations depend? Is it the local authorities, and if not, who is it? In framing regulations, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the need to ensure that the precautions which ought to be taken are watched so that their efficiency is maintained?

Major Lloyd-George

I will certainly look into all that. However, the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that this is an extremely difficult matter because of the varying types of premises which have their windows cleaned. In the case of factories, it would come under the Factories Act. In the case of window cleaning in ordinary houses, one of the difficulties is that many of the window cleaners are self-employed. However. I will look into the matter.

Mr. Lindgren

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the greatest dangers arise in the case of large buildings and where the window-cleaning is done under contract? It really arises from the insistence of window cleaning companies upon piecework rather than normal work, and it is this which leads to the regulations being ignored. Cannot the right hon. and gallant Gentleman do something about that?

Major Lloyd-George

Leaving aside the cases covered by the Factories Act. I cannot say how it would be done in the cases which the hon. Member has in mind, because it is an extremely difficult matter. It would be one of the cases covered by the new Act, in that it is non-industrial employment. It is something which it would be very difficult to do, but it would obviously come under that Act.