HC Deb 11 July 1966 vol 731 cc954-5
28. Mr. Archer

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce legislation to provide for compulsory safety committees at places of work, which will include employees' representation.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

My right hon. Friend believes that joint consultative machinery on safety which is set up by voluntary means is preferable to machinery established under compulsion. Progress in the past, however, has been extremely disappointing. He has, therefore, decided that, unless there is satisfactory progress over the next few years in the setting up of joint works safety committees on a voluntary basis, he will feel obliged, when the next major revision of the Factories Act takes place, to seek power to require the establishment of machinery for joint consultation in appropriate cases. He very much hopes that progress will be such as to make legislation unnecessary.

Mr. Archer

Is my hon. Friend aware that in 1927, when this measure was proposed, employers' associations asked for the voluntary system to be given another chance, that that chance was given, but that in the ensuing 38 years accident figures have risen from 148.000 to 269,000 a year?

Mrs. Williams

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his lesson from history, and also for his great interest in the subject. We shall certainly bear that lesson very much in mind.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

While we all want to see more safety committees set up, is it not true to say that there are more people at work today than there were 30 years ago?

Mrs. Williams

There are, indeed, but I think the hon. Member will agree that in certain industries the accident rate has increased to an extent that is rather disturbing. It may be partly the effect of modern technology.

Mr. Murray

Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us when the review of the Factories Act, 1961, is to take place, and can she promise that there will not be any delay in having this review?

Mrs. Williams

Generally speaking, reviews of the Factories Acts tend to take place at 10-year intervals, but we shall certainly bear in mind the need to make changes at the earliest practicable date.