§ 23. Mr. Archerasked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that local authorities are effectively enforcing the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FernyhoughI would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's Report on the Act for 1965, in which he said that most local and fire authorities had made a substantial effort to enforce the Act but a few had failed to inspect any registered premises or had made only a token effort. The Central Advisory Inspectorate has taken special action to follow up those authorities who had a low rate of inspection and my right hon. Friend hopes that his report for 1966 will show an improvement in the position.
§ Mr. ArcherWill my hon. Friend agree that, all too often, this becomes just one more job on the shoulders of an overworked public health officer and, further, that if there are a substantial number of local authorities who are not going to enforce the Act, there may be a case for transferring enforcement to a suitably reinforced Factories Inspectorate?
§ Mr. FernyhoughI am not in a position to comment on the last part of that supplementary question. Where authorities are falling down, we shall use all the influence that we can to get them to come into line with the best of the authorities, who are doing a good job in this respect.
§ Mr. David SteelCan the hon. Gentleman say what attempts are being made to enforce the Act within the Palace of Westminster?
§ Mr. FernyhoughI am afraid that there are others than myself to whom that question should be addressed.